§ 23. Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representation he has received from Cunninghame district council on rent increases in council houses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownThe council informed my right hon. Friend in December about a revised rent scheme which was expected to increase council house rents on average by £63.79 a year from 1 April. My right hon. Friend told the council that he would invoke his powers under the Housing Financial Provisions (Scotland) Act 1978 to restrict that increase. It has since indicated that the average rent increase arising from its proposals will be somewhat less, and my right hon. Friend has told it that, provided that the average increase is £58 or less and that no further increase is made before 1 July 1980, he will not make a restriction order. The district council has assured my right hon. Friend that these conditions will be met.