§ 55. Mr. HARDIEasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that where houses have been decontrolled rents more than twice the normal are being charged, he will take steps to arrange for a method whereby those suffering can have some form of appeal?
§ Sir K. WOODMy information does not support the suggestion that in general the rents of controlled and decontrolled houses vary to the extent indicated in the question, and I do not think that it would be desirable to introduce legislation for the purpose of re-imposing control on decontrolled houses.
§ Mr. HARDIESince the right hon. Gentleman has no information on the subject, would he meet people, including myself, who have been treated in the way stated in the question; and would he take that as evidence of the state of affairs that exists to-day?
§ Sir K. WOODI should naturally take any statement of the hon. Gentleman, but my reply says that my information does not support the suggestion that there is ally such general variation in rents. I am dealing with the general question, but in any event I do not think it is advisable to introduce legislation for the purpose of re-imposing control in the case of decontrolled houses.
§ Mr. MARKLEWWould the Minister be good enough to indicate the source of his information, because it is obviously contrary to that of all who have had experience of public administration?
§ Sir K. WOODI do not want to be misunderstood. I am not disputing that there may be a number of cases, but I have to weigh the disadvantages and the advantages, and I think that those interested in the matter will agree that there would be considerable disadvantages in now re-imposing control on decontrolled houses.