HC Deb 28 April 1970 vol 800 cc283-4W
78. Mr. Spriggs

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will indicate the amount by which, in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's policy, council house rents may be increased at any one time by a change in a local authority's rent rebate scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Denis Howell

Local authorities need my right hon. Friend's agreement for any rent increases exceeding an average of 7s. 6d. a week or a maximum of 10s. a week in a 52-week period. The cost of introducing or improving a rent rebate scheme is a reasonable ground for increasing rents within the limits I have mentioned if the authority has no substantial housing account balances.