asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average cost, including land, of a new three-bedroomed council house built in 1974; what is the rent necessary to recoup costs on such a house, assuming a 60-year period for repayment of loans; and what is the average rent now charged by councils for such houses.

The estimated total capital cost, including land, of a typical three-bedroomed council house completed during 1974 in England and Wales, outside London, was on average about £10,000. The loan charges, management and repair costs would total about £1,000 per annum. The current average unrebated rent income would be about £300 a year.