§ Mr. Alec Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to Rhondda Borough Council were abolished, excepting old peoples' accommodation; and what is the estimated weekly increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.
§ Mr. George ThomasI estimate that the cost to Rhondda Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings (excepting old people's accommodation) would in 1969–70 be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 27s. a week in a 52-week rent year. If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range of 40s. to 109s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range of 5s. to 7s. a week if pooled over the whole housing stock.