§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average amount paid in rents by council tenants in England and Wales in May 1979 and now; and what has been the increase in percentage terms.
§ Mr. Stanley[pursuant to his reply, 17 November 1981]: The average rent paid—before deducting rent rebate or the rent element of supplementary benefit payments—by local authority tenants in England and Wales—excluding new towns—in April 1979 is estimated at £6.40 per dwelling per week. The latest comparable figure, for April 1981, is estimated at £11.39. The increase is thus 78 per cent. These figures are derived from returns made by local authorities to CIPFA. The April 1979 figure was published in Housing and Construction Statistics, No. 32, and the April 1981 figure will be published shortly.