§ 13. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what estimate she has made of the extent to which the increase, from 14s. 2d. per week in 1956 to 27s. 1d. per week in 1964, in the average estimated amount of rent paid by households receiving assistance was due to the effect of the Rent Act 1957.
§ Mr. PentlandThe figure quoted are overall averages covering local authority tenants and owner-occupiers as well as tenants of private landlords; moreover they include rates. However, there is no doubt that a substantial part of the increase must be due to the effects of the Rent Act.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she is aware that between December, 1957, and December, 1963, the estimated number of householders receiving assistance grants whose grants took account of rent or similar outgoings rose from 1,302,000 persons to 1,563,000; and to what extent she attributes this increase to the Rent Act 1957.
§ Mr. PentlandThe figures quoted include local authority tenants and owner occupiers as well as tenants of private landlords. I cannot say explicitly what effect the Rent Act has had on these figures but there is every likelihood that it has been a factor.