Shadow Housing Minister Stanley Morton has given his backing to a possible rent strike by furious Government housing tenants.

Mr. Morton made his remarks at a meeting organised by the Coalition for Affordable Housing and the Tenants of Government Housing last night.

The meeting was held as a reaction to massive rent increases imposed by Government at the start of the year.

Mr. Morton told The Royal Gazette : "I cannot condone anything that would be illegal but the tenants haven't yet signed the agreement for the new rents yet.

"The problem is there is virtually nothing these people can do if they disagree with the rents.

"If you sign the agreement then you are under an obligation to pay the rent but they are not under an obligation this year because they haven't signed.

"The purpose of this meeting was for everyone to stick together and if people decide that they are not going to sign the new agreements I would support that until something is worked out.

"But the Government should withdraw the letter asking for the rent increases immediately because nobody has agreed with it.'' At a packed hall at BIU headquarters Mr. Morton, along with UBP MPs Michael Dunkley and John Barritt, heard complaints from numerous residents concerning poor water quality, bad housing maintenance, no lighting and lack of pest control on top of this year's huge hike in rents.

Many residents who spoke were moved to tears as they expressed their frustration and anger at having to live in what one speaker described as "a ghetto''.

And tenants are also organising a petition to present to Government warning that, if the rent increases stay, they will have to get more assistance from Social Services which would put further pressure on the tax system.

Mr. Morton said: "I think the problem is that Government doesn't seem to have any central control. For example, with maintenance work there's no central inspection team which is making sure that the work is being carried out. They are asking for rent increases but they can't guarantee delivering services.'' Last night Housing Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge refused to comment on the issue.

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