HC Deb 29 October 1987 vol 121 c437W
Mr. Wray

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the estimates for the years 1989, 1990 and 1991 of the increased cost of housing benefits which will result from his proposals to end the present protection on rent prices in the private sector.

Mr. Waldegrave

Our deregulation proposals will apply only to tenancies granted after the legislation comes into effect. The rights of existing tenants in respect of both rent and security, will not be affected.

Any estimate of the effects of the proposals on housing benefit payments would at this stage be purely speculative.