XN000022-1973-08-31 — Page 3

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Friday, August 31, 1973

The

On the question of rents Mr. Husband said that in the past

former Resettlement Department shop rents were adjusted each year.

last change was in April 1972. "What is now proposed," he said, "is

virtually a rent freeze at this present level until December 1975 at least.

'

"Shop rents on estates are considerably subsidised and low

compared to those in the private sector and a rent freeze of two years

must be a very attractive proposition to any shop tenants."

Mr. Husband went on: "As is well known, the new Housing Department

was formed in April as an amalgamation of the former Resettlement Department

and the Housing Division of the Urban Services Department and it is hoped

that conditions in ex-resettlement estates will be eventually made similar

to those found in former Housing Authority estates. This is one move

in that direction."

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