Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health what is the lowest rent that has been approved for A and B type of houses, respectively; and what the annual deficit has been estimated to be in each of the type houses to which such rents apply?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe lowest rents approved for houses included in assisted housing schemes are 3s. 3d. per week for A type (living room and three bedrooms) and 4s. 3d. per week for B type houses (parlour, living room and three bedrooms). These houses are situated in a remote rural district, and their cost is estimated at £800 and £900 respectively. Assuming that the local authority can meet the cost of management and repairs by appropriation of one-quarter of the rent (about £2 10s. per annum), the total annual deficit on each house will be £46 and £50 per annum respectively.
— Number of Houses. Completed. Under construction. In contracts or certified by local authorities but not yet commenced. 1. Local Authorities … … … 2,511 7,400 8,776 2. Private Enterprise … … … 1,729 9,521 21,794 3. Societies, Companies and Trustees acting under Section 3 of the Act. 440 1,005 2,054 Information is not available as to the number of these houses which have been or are under contract for sale to owner-occupiers and those which are available for letting, but it can be taken that the majority of the houses under headings 1 and 3 will be available for letting.