27 FEBRUARY 1932, Page 16

[To the Editor of the Sraerarob.] - 7 •

Sin,—In his letter to you published on February 13th, Mr. Townroe asks if any reader can say where, besides Cambridge, Welwyn and Banbury, rent rebides have been adopted. The Family Endowment Society is engaged in collecting such information. Lincoln now has a scheme in being by which a sliding rent is charged worked out on weekly income and size of family, and the Society has heard of other schemes under consideration. Abatement of rent on account of child depen- dency is too valuable a solution of the Slum problem to be lightly set aside because it presents some difficulties in working. '

During the War the fact that two neighbours whose husbands were serving in the Army drew Separation 'allowances varying according to the number of the children caused no difficulty, either in ascertainment of the facts, or in jealousy between the wives. Children's Rent Rebates present very similar con- ditions. The working woman is an essentially reasonable person, and once she realized that differentiation was based on clearly defined need, and not on whim or favouritism, she would be the first to co-operate.—I am, Sir, &c.,