HC Deb 25 January 1989 vol 145 cc639-40W
53. Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which housing association rent levels can be kept within the means of locally employed people in rural areas under his present policies.

69. Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals to ensure that housing association rents set under mixed funding in rural areas will be affordable by rural workers.

Mr. Trippier

The average grant rate for housing association schemes using mixed private and public funding in England in 1989–90 will be 75 per cent. The Housing Corporation is publishing rates, within this overall average, for different types of development in different areas of the country. Housing associations in all parts of the country, including rural areas, will be able to set rents within the reach of people in lower-paid employment.