§ 21. Mr. Molloyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the London Borough of Ealing in relation to the Housing Finance Act; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. AmeryMy right hon. Friend received representations from Ealing about the shortness of time to introduce the rent rebate scheme required under the Act. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the Department's reply.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from Manchester Corporation on the application of the rent provisions of the Housing Finance Act, 1972, to the city of Manchester; what reply he is sending; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EyreI have received from Manchester Corporation an application dated 28th July for a direction under Section 62(4) of the Act that the average increase on 2nd October in the rents of the council's dwellings should be less than £1. I will reply as soon as my examination of the authority's application has been completed.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many housing authorities in England and Wales have now signified their intention not to implement the Housing Finance Act, 1972; and if he will list them.
§ Mr. EyreI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 3rd August in answer to a similar Question from the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun), and to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales on 18th May to the hon.
411WMember for Merthyr Tydvil (Mr. Rowlands). Since those answers were given Aberdare UDC has informed my right hon. Friend of its intention not to implement the Act, and Salford Borough Council has informed me in the same terms. I understand that St. Helens Borough Council has now decided to implement the Act.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Greater London Council, about the operation of the Housing Finance Act, in the London boroughs.
§ Mr. AmeryMy Department has had discussions with the Greater London Council and the London Boroughs Association about the transfer of certain GLC estates to certain London boroughs.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will name the Housing Commissioner whom he intends to appoint to carry out the operation of the Housing Finance Act, 1972 in the London Borough of Croydon; and from what date the appointment will take effect.
§ Mr. AmerySince the Act is not yet in force my right hon. Friend has no power to make any such appointment.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what communication he has received from the London Borough of Camden concerning the decision taken at their council meeting on 2nd August, 1972 regarding the operation of the Housing Finance Act; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AmeryThe town clerk has informed me of the terms of the resolution passed by the council. I very much regret that the council has confirmed its intention not to carry out duties imposed on it by statute and to deprive the people of Camden of the benefits of the Act as a whole.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when copies of the Housing Finance Act. 1972 will be published.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will allow 412W local authorities an extension of time for implementation of the Housing Finance Act, in view of delay over its publication.
§ Mr. AmeryNo. There has been no delay in publishing the Act. Moreover, one of the objects of publishing our proposals in detail at an early stage was to give local authorities the maximum time in which to prepare for their implementation.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what staff he has recruited into his Department to administer the Housing Finance Act, 1972, in relation to local authorities defaulting.