§ 42. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about the types of means tests already being implemented by local authorities increasing rents under the provisions of the Housing Finance Bill.
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§ Mr. AmeryUnder existing legislation local authorities are responsible for administering rent rebate schemes.
§ 79. Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities have indicated to him that they will not enforce the rent increases provided for under the Housing Finance Bill.
§ Mr. EyreMy right hon. Friend has received resolutions from seven local authorities that they will not implement the Bill.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to the general level of wages in the area; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;
(2) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to wish to avoid a situation in which a majority of tenants become eligible for rebates; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;
(3) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to the absence of sufficient registrations of comparable properties in the private sector of housing; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;
(4) Whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to the investment value of a property, based on the cost of building rather than the present day open market value; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may 100W also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;
(5) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to establishing greater differentials between one locality and another than is reflected in a comparison of gross values for rating purposes; and whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that this factor may also be taken into account by the rent scrutiny boards;
(6) whether it is the intention of the Government that a local authority making an application under Clause 63(6) of the Housing Finance Bill may have regard, in determining fair rents, to its conclusion that the majority of flat dwellers would prefer to live in houses, and that in a situation in which demand and supply were approximately in balance flats would therefore be let at much lower rental than houses; whether the Government will seek to amend Clause 50 of the Bill so that rent scrutiny boards may have regard, in determining fair rents, to the conclusion of a local authority that a majority of flat dwellers would prefer to live in houses.
§ Mr. EyreThe Government see no need to amend Clause 50 of the Bill. Any direction made under Clause 63(4) would be based on an estimate of fair rents. The principles for determining fair rents are set out in Clauses 50 and 58.