To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the typical gross rate of return on uncontrolled rents of private residences in the private sector in (a) central London and (b) north-west England as a percentage of the capital value of the asset.

We do not yet have sufficient information on the level of rents being charged for assured tenancies to serve as a basis for estimates of the rate of return on capital. A survey intended to provide such information is currently in hand.