Orders of the Day — Rate Support Grants Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 6:08 pm on 31 October 1988.

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Photo of Matthew Taylor Matthew Taylor Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Local Government, Housing and Transport) 6:08, 31 October 1988

I am amazed that the hon. Gentleman used GLC homes as an example of how the Government's policy is right. There are GLC homes in my constituency. The hon. Gentleman said that houses had been bought by a housing association. The pensioners in those properties are now suffering the consequences of massive rent increases. Had those homes stayed in the public sector, and had the London Residuary Body not sold them, that would not have happened. I receive a constant flow of pensioners who are bitter about the way in which the Government have let them down. They are bitter because the Government abolished the GLC, maintaining that that was power to the people as it would help them. Those pensioners now have to pick up the tab.