§ 47. Mr. Parkinasked the hon. Member for Finchley, as, representing the Church Commissioners, why the Commissioners took steps to obtain the authority to raise rents in one part of Dibdin House which has no protection under the Rent Acts; by how much it is intended to raise the rent; how the old and new rents compare with those for similar accommodation in other blocks in Dibdin House; and what provision they have in mind to meet cases of hardship.
§ Sir J. CrowderThe Commissioners applied to the Rent Tribunal in respect of 59 flats in Dibdin House, because they thought that rents on these flats were too low; the Tribunal awarded new rents of more than double, but the Commissioners decided to make a first increase of only one-third of the increases awarded by the Tribunal, i.e. between 7s. 6d. and 3s. 6d. per week; the new rents exceed rents in other parts of Dibdin House by 2s. 3d. per week for the largest flats and 9d. per week for the smallest; any cases of hardship will receive sympathetic consideration by the Commissioners, but no such cases have yet been reported.
§ 48. Mr. Parkinasked the hon. Member for Finchley, as representing the Church Commissioners, what applications for rate rebate have been made for premises in or about Dibdin House, on the grounds that they are used for purposes of religion.
§ Sir J. CrowderOne application has been made, in respect of the Commissioners' office, No. 12 Dibdin House, under Section 8 of the Rating and Valuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1955.