HC Deb 23 March 1983 vol 39 c444W
32. Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will provide assistance to local authorities so that they may freeze council house rents.

Mr. Stanley

It is for each local authority to determine its own rent levels. However, the Government are at present providing rent assistance, directly or indirectly, of approximately £2,000 million in the current financial year through housing subsidy, rent rebates and the rent element of supplementary benefit. In addition, local authorities can make rate fund contributions to their housing revenue accounts.