§ 31. Mr. PopeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the average level of rent set by each local authority for the years 1993–94 and 1994–95.
§ Sir George YoungThe information so far available to my Department from local authorities' returns has been placed in the Library. It represents returns from 329 of the 366 housing authorities in England. My Department's estimate of the average council rent for 1994-95 is £35.70, an increase of £2.00 a week on 1993–94.
§ 34. Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the five London boroughs 533W with the highest average council house rents, and the five lowest; and if he will give the political control of each of those councils.
§ Sir George YoungLocal authorities report information on average rents on housing revenue account claim forms. The London boroughs with the five highest and five lowest average rents for 1994–95, based on the latest available information, are as follows:
Rent levels reflect a number of factors, including the arrangements for setting guideline rents for HRA subsidy purposes. These arrangements are related to capital values, which generally lead to higher rent levels in areas where the average value of council dwellings are higher.
Average weekly rent 1994–95 (£) Political control Redbridge 63.75 Conservative Harrow 62.97 Conservative Westminster 61.43 Conservative Kensington and Chelsea 60.28 Conservative Kingston upon Thames 60.27 No overall control Hounslow 39.97 Labour Newham 39.88 Labour Tower Hamlets 37.71 Liberal Democrat Havering 36.91 No overall control Barking 33.15 Labour