§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what discussions he has had or is contemplating to avert rent increases for council-house tenants; how many local authorities are affected; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. CrossmanI have had discussions with representatives of the Birmingham City Council. Twenty-seven authorities have been in touch with my Department about increases which they had decided to make before the publication of the White Paper on the Prices and Incomes Standstill. I do not know how many others may be affected but I am glad to see that several authorities have responded to the appeal in the White Paper and deferred increases without reference to me. I am sending a circular to local authorities asking them to give a lead in restraint over the coming months.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government by what method he will keep under scrutiny the movement of rents charged by private landlords; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanArrangements have been made to obtain regular statistical information on registered rents and further information on private rents is regularly available from the Family Expenditure Survey.
§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in cases where local authorities delay increases in council house rents in response to the Government's wages and prices standstill, he will advise them to increase rate poundages to compensate them for the loss of income resulting from the deferment of rent increases or to cut back on house and school building programmes.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe first requirement is that local authorities should set an example in price restraint during the next critical six months. Whether they subsequently make good losses of rent income due to postponement of rent increases from rent or rates or economies in less essential expenditure is for them to decide. The Government have made it clear they do not want housing and school programmes reduced.