§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what factors have led to increases in the cost of housing repairs and management; and what effect this has on council house rents.
§ Mr. FreesonExpenditure on repairs and management is affected by the level of salaries and wages, the cost of materials, the size, character and age of the housing stock, the standard achieved, the efficiency of operations and the extent of works carried out as between one year172W and another. The statistics published by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants, which cover most local authorities show the combined average cost of repairs and management in England and Wales as £23 7s. 0d. per dwelling in 1963–64 and £33 3s. 0d. per dwelling in 1967–68. How far this increase was reflected in rent increases depended on the housing account balances and rent policies of each local authority.