§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what corres- 422W pondence he has had with the leader of the Camden Borough Council, regarding the special circumstances of rent arrears in that borough; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. AmeryThe leader has drawn my attention to the rent arrears problem which is causing the Camden council serious concern. In reply I mentioned that the Housing Finance Act contained provisions for varying rent rebates to deal with problems of high rents in an authority's housing stock. The council was subsequently informed that it would be authorised, if it increased rents in October, to grant higher rebates than those laid down in the Act.
§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many rent scrutiny boards he expects will be in Operation in England and Wales by 1st September, 1972.
§ Mr. AmeryArrangements for establishing rent scrutiny boards are now being completed. The area which each will cover wil vary with local circumstances and I cannot yet say what the total number will be. The first provisional assessments from local authorities cannot be presented to them before mid-October.
§ Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet completed his discussions with the local authority associations on rent allowances for furnished tenants; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AmeryYes. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have concluded our discussions with local authority associations and with their help have devised a practicable scheme. The scheme will generally follow the scheme for rent allowances prescribed by the Housing Finance Act. The arrangements for rent allowance subsidy payable in England and Wales under the Housing Finance Act in respect of unfurnished tenancies will be extended to allowances in respect of furnished tenancies. The purpose of the scheme is to make allowances available to tenants in need who have made their home in furnished accommodation. It will take account of the built-in differences in calculation of the rent of furnished and unfurnished accommodation.
423WMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has concluded corresponding consultations and intends to introduce a scheme on similar lines for Scotland, following the scheme for rent allowances provided for under the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act. The necessary legislation, which will seek to define the bases of calculating the rent and of eligibility will be introduced as soon as possible.