§ Mr. CannTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from housing associations on the effect of reductions in Government grants on the level of rents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 6 July 1992] : My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning met representatives of the National Federation of Housing Associations recently to discuss housing association matters, including the level of rents. He has also received 158W some letters from individual associations. The Housing Corporation is monitoring outturn rents under the new financial regime and will shortly be putting proposals to the Department for grant rates in 1993–94. In reaching a decision we will take into account the views expressed by the federation and associations. Schemes are now financed by both grant and private loan and this, combined with the substantially increased resources which the Government are making available overall, should result in associations completing nearly twice as many new homes next year as they did last.