§ 46. Mr. Geoffrey Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average increase in cash and percentage terms in council house rents in April 1979, April 1980, and April 1981; and what are his estimates for April 1982.
§ Mr. StanleyThe information is as follows for the average rebated council house rent in England and Wales:
Cash Increase on Previous April (per dwelling per week) £ Percentage Increase on previous April Per cent. April 1979 00.52 10.0 April 1980 1.20 21.0 April 1981 3.09 44.7 Figures are not available on average increases net of supplementary benefit payments to council tenants but, broadly, tenants in receipt of supplementary benefit—currently 27 per cent. of all tenants—have any rent increase met in full by increased benefit.
The position at April 1982 will be dependent on the decisions of individual local authorities.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to reduce the rate of increase of council house rents.
§ Sir George YoungThe Government do not propose any change in policy during 1982, when the levels of council house rents will be determined by each local authority in the light of the determinations of reckonable income announced by my right hon. Friend in the House on 15 December 1980—[Vol. 996, c.34–6] and 21 December 1981.—[Vol. 15, c. 326–28.]