§ Mr. MILLSasked the Minister of Health how many councils have adjusted rents of working-class houses built under 1876W the Act of 1919 to approximate to existing rents paid for houses built under the Act of 1924; is he aware that, owing to the re-assessment of many of the older houses of the 1919 to 1920 period, they are paying greatly increased rents; and what steps are being taken to secure stabilisation?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe rents of houses provided by local authorities under the 1919 Act are fixed by the authorities in accordance with regulations made under the Housing Act, 1919. The rent income so fixed is subject to the approval of the Minister, and in the event of any difference of opinion arising between the Minister and the authority, it may be referred for decision to the tribunal appointed for the purpose under the regulations. Reductions in rents have been made in the case of 66 authorities since 1st April, 1929, but the fact that the rents of houses provided under the 1924 Act are in any area lower than those for houses provided under the 1919 Act is not in itself a ground for reduction of rents of the 1919 Act houses.