§ 60. Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether in view of the fact that council houses have been built by the community for those who need them, and that the community pays part of their rent, he will take steps 6W to ensure that no council house tenant whose family income exceeds £30 a week should continue to live in such subsidised accommodation after October, 1958, thus providing homes for those who will need them, owing to eviction by landlords who want possession, or because they cannot pay new and higher rents under the operation of the Rent Act, 1957.
§ Mr. H. BrookeLocal authorities are entrusted by Parliament with the selection of their own tenants. But I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that subsidies should not be used to benefit people who do not need them, and that tenants of council houses who can afford a full rent ought to be charged that. My predecessor and I have consistently encouraged local authorities to adopt differential rent schemes, under which subsidies can be used only to help those who need them. I am glad to say that a large and growing number are doing so.