A major row has flared up in the Birmingham Labour Party over the decision of the Labour group on the City Council to put into effect in Dece— mber increases in the rents of Municipal houses, - both pre-war and post-war. The increases will be as mch as 11/7 per woek.
The Borough Labour Party representative to the Labour group has resigned in protest because the party was not consulted on the issus, It should be pointed ont that there is an annual conforence in Birmingham to decide Labour's minicipal policy, So there will be sharp reactions in the party because this move was taken behind its back,
Birmingham has been faced recently with soaring house building costs. In a little over twelve months the cost of the high blocks of flats has risen by as mich as £500 per flat. This has led to incroases in tho housing subsidy paid out of the rates, Moreover, the Labour group has not led any fight on thissInstead it has merely issued pious statements about the Tory Government boing to blame, mt at the samo time putting the burden on to the backs of the municipal tonanta,