§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he can estimate the total rent paid by an occupier since 1952 on an average council house; and if he will compare this with the price he would have paid if he had bought a similar house.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe sum in money terms of the rent—unrebated—paid each136W week from 1952 to 1975 would amount to about £2,100; this would be equivalent to about £1,250 at 1952 prices. The purchase price of an equivalent house would have been about £2,000 in 1952. A full comparison would need to take into account, in particular, maintenance and insurance expenses, transaction costs, mortgage facilities, tax liabilities and reliefs, and obligations for the future.