§ Mr. Westasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what directions he has given to the Cwmbran Development Corporation regarding house-rent policy;
(2) why the Cwmbran Development Corporation recently decided to increase the rents of their housing tenants by amounts ranging from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 11d. per week; and what will be the yearly additional revenue accruing to the corporation as a result of their decision;
(3) what increased expenditure has been incurred by the Cwmbran Development Corporation in respect of their existing tenanted houses to cause the rise in rents recently announced; and what is the balance standing in the corporation's housing repairs account.
§ Mr. SandysAll new town corporations are required to obtain house rents which are self-supporting after account has been taken of the normal housing subsidies and of additional grants from the Exchequer equal to the contribution payable from the rates in respect of local authority housing.
I am informed that the Cwmbran Development Corporation have recently decided to increase the rents of many 51W of their houses in order to make more equitable use of the subsidy available to them, and to ensure that the income from rents is sufficient to balance outgoings.
For information about the balance on the housing repairs account I would refer the hon. Member to the annual accounts of the Development Corporation. Accounts for the current year will be published as soon as possible after 31st March.