§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied with the existing arrangements by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive which permits identical houses in the same street to be let at a different rental depending on the date on which the occupier took up the lease of the house; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MillsYes. As my noble Friend said in his letter of 19th October to my hon. Friend, it has been the policy of the Housing Executive, in order to avoid general rent increases, to apply limited increases in rents to new lettings and re-lets and not to existing tenants. 51W Cases can occur where different rents are charged for similar accommodation.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are still engaged in withholding rent and rates to local authorities and other public bodies; and how this compares with the position on 24th March.
§ Mr. David HowellThis information is not available in the form requested. At the beginning of November, 1972, approximately 17,900 people were withholding rent and rates due to public housing authorities; at the end of March, 1972 the figure was 20,000.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total amount outstanding in rents due to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive up to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. Peter MillsAt the beginning of November, 1972, the arrears of rent due to public housing authorities in Northern Ireland, including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and attributable to the civil disobedience campaign, amounted to £1.1 million.