Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Philip Hollobone

Main Page: Philip Hollobone (Conservative - Kettering)

Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts
Thursday 10th June 2010

(14 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Grant Shapps Portrait Grant Shapps
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that there are numerous problems with how the housing revenue account operates at the moment, in England as well as in Wales. The simplest answer that I can give him is that I agree, and we will continue the review.

Philip Hollobone Portrait Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)
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Kettering council, on which I serve, collects £12 million a year from its council tenants, £3 million of which is handed straight over to Her Majesty’s Treasury. How is that fair, and will the Minister receive a representation from the council on this issue?

Grant Shapps Portrait Grant Shapps
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I would be happy to receive a delegation from the council on the issue. It is absolutely the case that it is not fair. I think that there is cross-party agreement that the housing revenue account has become increasingly unfair over the years. That must be fixed, in the interests not only of transparency and of the tenants within those authorities that are paying in, but of efficiency. I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend and his colleagues.