HC Deb 12 May 1964 vol 695 cc41-2W
34. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the rise in average weekly interest charges for each council dwelling in Newcastle-under-Lyme from 7s. 8d. in 1950–51 to 21s. 9d. in 1962–63, if he will consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the local authority associations about ways and means of relieving the pressure on rents and the burden on the rates.

Mr. Corfield

There have been big increases since 1951 both in average earnings and in the total amount paid out in housing subsidies. My right hon. Friend has no evidence as yet that any local authority need charge rents beyond the means of its tenants, so long as it follows a realistic rent policy. The Government have, however, promised a review of housing subsidies and as a first step my right hon. Friend has set up a Working Party, in conjunction with the local authority associations, to examine all aspects of local authority housing finance.

Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what were the average gross rent, the average loan charge and the average interest charge, all stated in weekly terms, for a council house in 1945, 1951, 1963 and on the latest possible date for the cities and boroughs of Stoke-on-Trent, Salford, Manchester and Eccles, respectively.

Mr. Corfield

My right hon. Friend has no information about gross rents. The following table showing the weekly average figures for net rents and for loan and interest charges per house has been obtained from the totals under these heads for each year and from the number of houses held at the end of the year. Loan and interest charges cover shops, garages etc., as well as houses. He has no information more recent than for the financial year 1962–63.

— 1944–45 1950–51 1962–63
s. d. s. d. s. d.
Stoke-on-Trent C.B.
Net rent 6 7 9 2 19 5
Loan charges 8 2 9 6 22 9
Interest charges 6 1 6 8 18 9
Salford C.B.
Net rent 8 3 10 6 18 3
Loan charges 10 11 14 0 27 8
Interest charges 7 8 8 5 19 9
Manchester C.B.
Net rent 7 10 8 0 19 10
Loan charges 8 7 9 3 20 10
Interest charges 5 7 5 11 16 1
Eccles B.
Net rent 7 11 11 0 25 2
Loan charges 12 4 12 4 28 2
Interest charges 9 6 8 8 23 4