§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish local authorities will not be required to increase their rents in accordance with the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972 because the housing revenue account is in balance.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI understand that some 20 authorities have decided that, in terms of the Act, they will not require to increase standard rents in 1973–74, with about a further 40 authorities making an increase of less than the maximum average amount.
§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland have departed from the model rent rebate and rent allowance schemes as permitted in the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellGeneral consent was given in August 1972 to all local authorities totally to disregard any war disablement, war widows' and similar pensions. Consent has also been given under Section 18 of the Act to six authorities to operate other variations from the model schemes.
§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many local authority tenants in Scotland are in receipt of a reduced rent rebate because they occupy a house which is larger than they require for the number in the household;
(2) how many tenants in Scotland are in receipt of a reduced rent allowance because they occupy a house which is larger than required by the family.
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§ Mr. Gordon CampbellComprehensive information in relation to rent allowances is not kept, but the number of reduced allowanes is likely to be very small indeed. I understand that no such reductions are currently applied in the four cities. There was no similar provision for such reductions in the rent rebate scheme under the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1972 because, in allocating their houses, local authorities can have full regard to tenants' circumstances, and to the need to make the best use of their housing stock.