§ Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Dunfermline Ratepayers' Association on the subject of the rents of Scottish National Housing Company houses at Rosyth; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. NobleThe Association represented that the increases in rents introduced by the housing company were not justified having regard to the design and construction of their houses generally and the defective condition of many of thorn. The hon. Member has had a copy of the full reply that was subsequently sent to the Chairman of the Association. This said that the Secretary of State did 155W not regard the new rents, in most cases still considerably below the gross annual values, as unreasonable; Chat outstanding repairs would be undertaken as quickly as possible; and that, in the case of any house where substantial back-log repairs were needed and would take some time to carry out or cause substantial inconvenience to the tenant, an adjustment of the rent could be considered while the work was being done.
§ Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will appoint a small committee to inquire into the operation of the rent rebates scheme applied by the Scottish National Housing Company Limited in respect of their houses at Rosyth.
§ Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on his recommendation to the Scottish National Housing Company that, in cases where there is a substantial backlog of repairs in their houses at Rosyth, the rents should be suitably adjusted.
§ Mr. NobleIn reviewing the state of repair of its houses the company is considering whether, in any case where substantial repairs are being undertaken or are contemplated, an abatement of rent should be granted until the essential work is completed.