§ Captain TERRELLasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the number of eases in which applications for a reduction of rent of houses built with a State subsidy have been made by local authorities; what is the extra burden thrown on the taxpayer by the reductions sanctioned; and what would be the extra burden if the whole of the reductions requested had been agreed to?
§ Sir M. BARLOWApplications have been received from 632 local authorities for reductions of rents of houses erected under assisted housing schemes and reductions have been agreed to in 478 cases. These reductions relate to 44,868 houses. It is difficult to say precisely what effect on Exchequer subsidy is caused by any reduction in rent as it must to some extent depend not only on the rents fixed but on the amount of rent actually collected. Reductions are only approved where it can be shown that the rents charged are excessive. It is open to a local authority which is not satisfied with the rent approved by this Department to appeal to the independent tribunal appointed under the Housing Scheme Regulations.