§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the effect of the proposals in "Assistance with Housing Costs" on authorisations made under section 20(5) of the Housing Finance Act 1972 for more generous rent rebates or allowances where rent levels are exceptionally high as in certain London boroughs.
§ Mr. StanleyI am grateful for the opportunity to clarify this point. The country-wide high rent scheme suggested in the consultative document "Assistance with Housing Costs" was intended as an addition to the local authorisations for more generous rent rebates and allowances under the 1972 Act to which my hon. Friend refers, not as a substitute for them. Local authorisations in certain London boroughs and elsewhere would therefore continue to be made under powers corresponding to section 20(5) of the 1972 Act within the overall framework of the housing benefit scheme.