asked the Minister for Local Government why tenant purchasers have been billed for increased rents under the differential rents scheme although some people signed purchase forms over two years ago.

A tenant of a local authority house who applies to purchase his house is obliged to pay rent in accordance with the terms of the national differential rent scheme up to the date of sale specified in the prescribed transfer order which must be completed in order to effect the sale of the house to the tenant.

Is the Minister aware that certain local authorities are waiving the rent increases for the people mentioned in the question?

They are not entitled to do so.

Is it not supposed to be the same everywhere?

It is supposed to be the same. If the Deputy would like to give me a list of those authorities who are doing otherwise I shall be glad to take the matter up.