§ Lieut.-Colonel MASONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, considerable dissatisfaction exists on the assisted housing scheme estates at Woodside and Norbury (Corporation of Croydon) on account of the decision of a recent housing tribunal, in consequence of which exclusive rents of the houses have been fixed at amounts alleged to be grossly inflated as compared with the rents of comparable houses; that this is due to the inclusion of charges for so-called amenities greatly in excess of their actual value; whether he will institute a further inquiry with a view to meeting the claims of the tenants; and whether he will issue a statement showing the exclusive rents on all similar estates?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe rents, exclusive of rates, for the houses on the two estates referred, to were the subject of an award by the Independent Rents Tribunal set up under the Local Authorities (Assisted Housing Scheme) Regulations. I understand that the tribunal inspected the houses and comparable houses in the neighbourhood and heard evidence from the representative of the Tenants' Association. Under the Regulations the awards of the tribunal are conclusive and final as regards the amount of Exchequer subsidy payable to the Corporation for their schemes and I have no power to depart from them for that purpose. As regards the last part of the 1205W question, I would refer the hon. Member to the return published in the OFFICIAL REPORT in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on 21st February last.