§ 7. Mr. McCartneyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider his decision not to allow the Cumbernaud Development Corporation within the provisions of the Housing Financial Provisions (Scotland) Act, to modify the statutory rent increases to enable the corporation to close the differential between new town rents and those of local authorities in Scotland in line with the special arrangements for certain local authorities in England.
§ Mr. YoungerI see no reason at present for modification of the rent increases being applied by Cumbernaud Development Corporation. Scottish new town housing is relatively modern and in a good environment, and differences between the average rent levels in the new towns and those of the Scottish local authorities reflect this.
§ 11. Mr. McElhoneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many council tenants he estimates are paying a nil rent as a result of the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellSeveral thousands, and there will be an increase when the needs allowances are raised this month. In addition, there are also other tenants receiving supplementary benefit whose total rent is met.