§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 9 May,Official Report, column 386, to the hon. Member for Bow and Poplar (Ms. Gordon) what steps he proposes to take to ensure that tenants outside the protection of the Rent Acts are not charged rents inclusive of rates after the introduction of the poll tax; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Gummer[holding answer 26 May 1989]: The Housing Act 1988 will apply to most tenancies entered into after 15 January 1989 and any rents determined by the rent assessment committee under that Act will be exclusive of rates. Any reductions in inclusive rents arising from the introduction of community charge should be settled on the basis of individual contracts.