§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has received any representations regarding an increase in Brighton council's housing subsidies;
(2) what information he has on the level of council rents and housing subsidies in Brighton.
§ Sir George YoungBased on information received from the local authority, the average council rent in Brighton is £17.82 per week.
Representations have been received from the council's labour group seeking financial help through the subsidy system. The council has had no entitlement to housing subsidy since 1981–82. The present system of housing 65W subsidies, introduced by the Housing Act 1980, is designed to channel aid to those authorities most in need of support, having regard to their local needs and resources. Where an authority has no entitlement to housing subsidy, it can reasonably be expected to meet its housing needs from its own local resources. It is for the council to decide how this should be done.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the matters discussed at the meeting on November, between his Department and members of Brighton borough council.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI saw a deputation of elected members of Brighton borough council on 21 November to hear their representations about the council's rate support grant position.