HC Deb 11 April 1933 vol 276 c2527

Where the dwelling-house to which the principal Acts apply is let at a rent not exceeding two shillings and sixpence per week exclusive of rates, and such dwelling-house comes into possession of the landlord after the twenty-ninth day of September, nineteen hundred and thirty-three, the principal Acts with the exception of Section two (Permitted increases in rent) of the Act of 1920 shall cease to apply to such dwelling-house as from the date of the landlord taking possession.—[Mr. Beaumont.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

12.16 a.m.

Mr. MICHAEL BEAUMONT

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."

This new Clause provides that where a house is let at a rent so low as not to be an economic rent it shall be decontrolled for the purpose of giving possession but shall remain in control for the purpose of rent. I am afraid that if the Bill goes through in its present form, when houses become vacant the temptation of landlords will be to hold them up, because the people who go in will be statutory tenants and they will not be able to get rid of them. I think this proposal is one which avoids a serious danger. If the Minister thinks my form of words is not practicable and is unable to accept the new Clause, I hope he will be able to deal with the point in some other way.

12.17 a.m.

Sir H. YOUNG

I recognise the reality of the danger to which the hon. Member refers. This Clause has a very limited ambit. It refers only, in substance, to cottages used for agricultural and estate management purposes, leaves all the sitting tenants protected, and provides only a more convenient procedure than that under the Third Schedule. The hon. Member rightly says the Clause is not workable in its present form, but I am prepared to give consideration to the point he has raised.

Mr. BEAUMONT

In those circumstances I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Clause.

Motion and Clause, by leave, withdrawn.