§ 38. Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has studied the effects of the proposed fair rents scheme on rents in the London Borough of Camden in the light of the leaflet produced by the borough council, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average fair rent which has been determined in the West Riding of Yorkshire since 1st April, 1970.
§ Mr. EyreThis information is not readily available but for fair rents determined between 1st January, 1970, and the end of December, 1971, the average registered rent was £126.95 a year.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average 280W net rent for council dwellings in Yorkshire and Humberside in 1971–72; and the total rent yield from council houses in the region in that year.
§ Mr. EyreThe latest available information on average council rents is in pages 7–21 of the December, 1971, edition of Part I of Housing Statistics (England and Wales) published by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants. The latest information on total rent yields from council dwellings is in the April, 1971, edition of Part 2 of that publication.
Copies are in the Library.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of council tenants now expected to qualify for rent rebate in 1972–73, and the number of those tenants whom he expects to pay more rent, after rebates, than they did in 1971–72.
§ Mr. EyreThe estimates given in Standing Committee E—column 429 of the Official Report—by my right hon. Friend remain unchanged. I am unable to make the estimate in the second part of the Question because of the many variable factors involved.
§ Sir R. Caryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he proposes to give to local authorities concerning the transition to fair rents, particularly on the rate of increase permissible.
§ Mr. EyreThe progression to fair rents required under the Housing Finance Bill is set out in Clauses 63 to 66 of the Bill. My right hon. Friend proposes to issue a circular after the enactment of the Bill to provide any necessary explanation of its provisions, including those relating to the progression to fair rents.
§ Sir R. Caryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he proposes to give to ensure that properly qualified persons will receive rent rebates under the terms of the Housing Finance Bill; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EyreI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the hon. and learned Member for Dover (Mr. Peter Rees) on 8th February, 1972.—[Vol. 830, c.327–8]