§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has studied the proposals of local authorities to introduce rent discrimination against new tenants; if he will introduce legislation to prevent discrimination in rents against new tenants or any other group of tenants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellMy right hon. Friend has no power to intervene in the rents fixed by local authorities for individual dwellings because this is by law their responsibility. There are objections of principle to withdrawing this fundamental responsibility and in practice local authorities are best placed to discharge it and to answer to their electors for the way they do so.