HC Deb 26 March 1970 vol 798 cc531-42W
Mr, Alfred Morris

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Manchester Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr Denis Howell

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Marks) on 6th March.—[Vol. 797, c.202–3.]

Mr. Ogden

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his estimate of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Pontefract Borough, Castleford Borough and Featherstone Urban District Councils are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwelling under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Pontefract Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 11s. a week in a 52–week rent year. I estimate that the cost to Castleford Borough Council would be equivalent to a rent increase of about 13s. a week and to Featherstone Urban District Council about 7s. a week.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost to Pontefract Borough Council might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 40s. to 60s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings or about 1s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock. I estimate that the cost to Castle-ford Borough Council would be equivalent to rent increases in the range 45s. to 65s. a week if applied only to the rents of the dwellings under construction, or in the range 6s. to 8s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock. Featherstone Urban District Council had no houses under construction on 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Ellis

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his estimate of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Mansfield Borough Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Mansfield Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 8s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range of 35s. to 50s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings or below 1s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Booth

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Barrow Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Barrow-in-Furness County Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 7s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range of 40s. to 60s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 1s. to 2s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Bottomley

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Middlesbrough Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

The Information is not available in respect of Middlesbrough, which became part of Teesside County Borough on 1st April, 1968.

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Teesside County Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old People's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 10s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 45s. to 65s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 2s. to 3s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Wallace

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Norwich City Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Norwich City Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 8s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 50s. to 70s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 1s. to 3s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Scunthorpe Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Scunthorpe Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 8s. a week in a 52–week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 35s. to 45s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or below Is. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Spriggs

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to St. Helens Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to St. Helens Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 10s. a week in a 52–week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 45s. to 60s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 6s. to 8s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. William Wilson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Coventry Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council. I estimate that the cost to Coventry Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, except old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 14s. a week in a 52–week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 70s. to 100s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings or in the range ls. to 2s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Kelley

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the amount by which rents of council houses would have to be increased in Doncaster Borough and Doncaster Rural District, to meet the deficiency in housing revenue if housing subsidies are abolished, stating an average amount in shillings and excluding old people's accommodation from the calculation.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Doncaster County Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 10s. a week in a 52–week rent year. I estimate that the cost to Doncaster Rural District Council would be equivalent to a rent increase of about 8s. a week.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost to Doncaster County Borough Council might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 40s. to 60s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings or in the range 4s. to 6s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock. I estimate that the cost to Doncaster Rural District Council would be equivalent to rent increases in the range 45s. to 65s. a week if applied only to the rents of the dwellings under construction, or about 1s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Snow

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents which would be required for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the assumption that housing subsidies now provided by the Government to Rugeley Urban District Coumncil are abolished, excepting for old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Rugeley Urban District Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 8s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 35s. to 50s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range of 4s. to 6s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Rawtenstall Borough Council were abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I esti- mate that the cost to Rawtenstall Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 10s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

The council had no houses under construction on 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Ramsbottom Urban District Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under constructions on 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Ramsbottom Urban District Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 6s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

The council had no houses under construction on 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Accrington Borough Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Accrington Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 8s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 35s. to 50s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 1s. to 3s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average keely increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Brkenhead Council are abolished, axcepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Birkenhead Council of abolising housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 11s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 45s. to 60s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings or in the range 6s. to 8s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Conlan

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings on the basis that housing subsidies to Felling Urban District Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Felling Urban District Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 12s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equiva- lent to rent increases in the range 55s. to 80s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 2s. to 3s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Conlan

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings on the basis that housing subsidies to Gateshead Borough Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council I estimate that the cost to Gateshead County Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 18s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range of 50s. to 70s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 5s. to 7s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Ensor

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Bury Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Bury County Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 5s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range of 45s. to 65s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or below 1s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. MacDermot

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Derby Council are abolihed, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Derby County Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 7s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 50s. to 70s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or below a shilling a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

Mr. Moonman

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his latest estimate of the housing subsidy to be paid in 1970–71 to Basildon New Town Development Corporation.

Mr. Denis Howell

The amount to be paid in 1970–71 will depend on the number of new dwellings completed, and the claims for 1967 Act subsidy submitted by the corporation during the year, and cannot be reliably estimated at this stage. The housing subsidy paid to the corporation in 1969–70 was £749,272.

Mr. Woof

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Blaydon Urban District Council are abolished, excepting old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction at 1st January, 1970.

Mr. Denis Howell

In the light of information provided by the council, I estimate that the cost to Blaydon Urban District Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 7s. a week in a 52 week rent year.

If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 30s. to 40s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or about one shilling a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.