§ 49. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the rent freeze, issued on 8th March, is intended to cover any agreements for an increase or reduction of rents coming into force after that date which may have been agreed before 8th March 1974.
§ Mr. FreesonYes. The freeze of residential rents prohibits any increases during the standstill period. Reductions in rent are not affected.
§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is prepared to take to reduce the rent burden of workers living in council and private housing accommodation.
§ Mr. FreesonFollowing the freeze on rents already instituted, we shall be reviewing the arrangements for rents in both public and private sectors, together with subsidies where appropriate, particu-126W larly with a view to replacing the Housing Finance Act 1972.