§ Mr. Joelasked the Minister of Health whether in all cases an economic rent only is charged for houses which are subsidised by the State or whether there are any cases where rent above the economic is charged; and, if so, whether such rents have to have his sanction?
§ Sir K. WoodI would refer my hon. Friend to Command Paper 5527 recently issued which gives some particulars of the rents charged by local authorities. Under Section 85 of the Housing Act, 1936, an authority when fixing rents must take into account the working-class rent in the locality, and may grant rent rebates to any tenant. Accordingly the rent charged for any particular house is not determined by the cost of that house. The rents fixed are not subject to my approval.