Housing Revenue Account

Oral Answers to Questions — Housing – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 25 March 1969.

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Photo of Mr Frank Hooley Mr Frank Hooley , Sheffield, Heeley 12:00, 25 March 1969

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to provide that all housing authorities should make a minimum percentage rate contribution to their housing revenue account.

Photo of Mr James MacColl Mr James MacColl , Widnes

My present view is that circumstances vary too much between housing authorities for a compulsory minimum contribution to be desirable but housing authorities should give serious consideration to the desirability of a contribution from the rates where this would avoid steep or harsh increases in rents.

Photo of Mr Frank Hooley Mr Frank Hooley , Sheffield, Heeley

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Prices and Incomes Board found that good new municipal housing was an important amenity value to the community as a whole? This being so, surely it is important that the community as a whole should make some contribution to the recurrent cost of it?

Photo of Mr James MacColl Mr James MacColl , Widnes

The board was not in favour of a general universal contribution, although it did recognise the importance of a community contribution in some cases.