§ Mr. N. M'LEANasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the official Circular of the 6th February on housing, issued by his Department, it is stated that the Department will withhold assistance where the best rents are not in fact being obtained, and, if so, will he explain the intention of this?
§ Major ASTORThe Circular to which the hon. Member refers states that the Local Government Board will reserve the right of reducing the amount of the Exchequer subsidy in any case in which there is evidence that the best rents obtainable are not in fact being obtained. The intention is to secure that the rents charged by local authorities for houses provided under the proposed terms of financial assistance shall approximate as nearly as circumstances permit to economic rents.