Rents

HC Deb 16 February 1977 vol 926 c229W

29. Mr. Arthur Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on private sector rents for domestic accommodation.

Mr. Freeson

We will be considering in the housing policy review and in the review of the Rent Acts whether any changes are desirable in the Rent Acts and related legislation. We have come to no conclusions as yet.

39. Mr. Grist

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is still the Government's intention that rebated rents should cover over 50 per cent. of costs by the end of the decade.

Mr. Freeson

It is the Government's intention that council rents should in future meet a higher proportion of housing costs than at present, but the date by which any particular percentage of costs is achieved depends in the short term on a number of factors, mainly movements in housing costs, and particularly in interest rates, and on counter-inflationary policy.

44. Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he hopes to be able to legislate on rent-restricted properties.

Mr. Shore

It is not at present possible to forecast the timing of legislation.