§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the average real cost of each unit of council accommodation, including interest charges, in each of the last 10 years; and what has been the average rent paid by the tenant.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe information is as follows:
HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT: ENGLAND AND WALES: LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITIES* Financial year Average annual cost per dwelling (outturn prices) Average annual unrebated rent per tenant £ £ 1969–70 154 107 1970–71 167 116 1971–72 177 129 1972–73 200 143 1973–74 245 186 1974–75 329 198 1975–76 390 223 1976–77 451 255 1977–78 484 290 1978–79 548 307 Sources: Subsidy claim forms; CIPFA. * New towns are excluded. †Housing revenue account expenditure less other rents and other income divided by the number of local authority dwellings—including vacant dwellings. Costs include interest charges ‡ Average unrebated rent of local authority tenants, that is, excluding vacant dwellings.
§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the highest cost authorised by his Department for the construction of (a) a two-bedroom council house, (b) a three-bedroom council house and (c) a four-bedroom council house.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe answer is complex. I shall write to the hon. Member.