§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) by what statutory authority he referred the proposed increase in council house rents in the burgh of Arbroath to the National Board for Prices and Incomes;
(2) if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to compensate ratepayers in burghs where increases in council house rents have been referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes for any additional burden on the rates resulting from delays in the application of rent increases;
(3) if he will give an assurance that local authorities in Scotland whose plans for increases in council house rents have been referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes will not be prevented from applying the increased rents pending receipt of the National Board for Prices and Incomes' report.
§ Mr. Ross:The reference, which relates to increases in rents of local authority housing generally, was made under Section 2(1) of the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966. I know of no power by which I might prevent local authorities from applying increased rents while the Board is carrying out its study of this Question.