asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why Housing Executive houses without piped water and other amenities are to have a greater increase in their rents than those houses which have proper modern amenities.

The Housing Executive is seeking to rationalise the 65 rent structures which it inherited, with the object of ensuring eventually that the rent charged reflects the accommodation provided. In some instances rents may rise more rapidly for one type of house than for others, though, in general, dwellings with services will have higher rents than those without.