§ 48. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations he has received from tenants in Peterlee about the proposed rent increases; and what instructions he gave to the Peterlee Corporation before the decision to increase rents was announced.
§ Mr. CorfieldMy right hon. Friend has received a telegram from the Ratepayers' Association and a letter from the local branch of the Labour Party. No instructions have been given, other than the general instruction to all new town corporations that they should, with the aid of subsidy, keep their housing finances in balance.
§ 49. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs on how many occasions the rents of houses in Peterlee have been increased and what is the average rent at present compared with average rents when the new town was first occupied.
§ Mr. CorfieldThere has been a general increase on three previous occasions: the first houses to be occupied in Peter-194W lee were three-bedroomed standard houses, let in 1951 at 21s. 3d. per week. For comparable houses let at current rents, the weekly charge is 37s. 6d. per week, and the increase now proposed is 6s. Rents are subject to a rent rebate scheme.