§ Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average rent increase imposed by Liverpool City Council in 1975.
§ Mr. FreesonI understand the average rent increase is £1 a week from 4th August 1975. Allowing for two rent-free weeks this represents about 60–65p a week spread over the current financial year.
§ Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will now use his powers under the Housing Rents and Subsidies Act 1975 to restrict rent increases where he considers that they are unreasonable;
(2) if he is satisfied with the operation of the Housing Rents and Subsidies Act 1975 so far as the fixing of reasonable rents is concerned; and if he will make a statement;
(3) how many local authorities have increased rents since December 1974.
§ Mr. FreesonWe are satisfied that local authorities have exercised their restored right to fix rents in a reasonable manner. I do not therefore consider it necessary at present to use the reserve power to prevent or restrict rent increases. Of the 367 housing local authorities in England 355 have made rent increases since the end of the rent freeze on 31st March 1975.
STOCK OF DWELLINGS: ESTIMATED AGE DISTRIBUTION DECEMBER 1974 Percentage of all dwellings Number of Dwellings (thousands) Pre 1891 1891 to 1918 1919 to 1944 1945 to 1960 1961 to 1970 Post 1970 Great Britain … 19,625 18 15 23 19 19 6 England … 16,755 18 15 24 19 18 6 Northern … 1,139 15 17 22 22 18 6 Yorkshire and Humberside … 1,789 17 17 24 18 19 5 East Midlands … 1,350 18 14 22 20 19 7 East Anglia … 659 25 9 17 18 22 9 South East … 6,100 17 15 26 19 17 6 South West … 1,552 24 12 19 18 20 7 West Midlands … 1,796 14 13 26 20 21 6 North West … 2,370 20 16 24 16 18 6
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total number of dwellings completed