§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is his estimate of the number of tenants in controlled tenancies who will pay higher rents ;
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of tenants in the private sector who will receive rent rebates under the new proposals.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI expect most controlled tenancies moving into rent regulation to command an increased rent, except where the dwelling is in poor condition. These increased rents will, however, be offset by rent allowances for those tenants who qualify under the Government's proposals for a national 319W rent rebate and allowance scheme. No reliable estimate can be made at this stage of the number of tenants who will need this assistance.
§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of council tenants in Wales who will have to pay the full fair rent.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasNo reliable estimate can be made at present because this will depend upon individual financial circumstances in relation to the assessed fair rent of the dwelling occupied.
§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the average fair rent level in Wales in council houses and private houses.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe average of the fair rents determined in Wales for private tenancies under the Rent Acts, calculated over the period March, 1966, to December, 1970, was £128 per annum.320W In 1970 it was £139. These figures cover a wide range of dwelling types.
At present fair rents are not determined for council houses, and since these will depend on the character, size and location of the particular dwelling, an average figure is meaningless in a situation where some rents are now nearer the fair rents than others, and where some tenants will get rebates and allowances and some pay less rent than now.