Mr. S. James A Hillasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that some housing authorities apply staged increases towards fair rents indiscriminately without regard to the nearness of the present rent to the probable fair rent; and what proposals he has to prevent this practice.
§ Mr. EyreMy attention has been drawn to a number of such cases. But there is no need for local authorities to do this. They have considerable flexibility in the way in which they can apportion increases within the maximum permitted increase. They can increase those rents which are already high in relation to the fair value of the accommodation by less than the average—or by nothing—and others by more. When fair rents have been determined any372W excess paid since October 1971 will be refunded to the tenant.