§ 9. Mr. Levyasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the excessive charges that are being made for accommodation in reception areas; and what measures he is taking to deal with this profiteering?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am sending my hon. Friend copies of Answers recently given on the subject, together with copies of the relevant circulars. I shall be glad to have details of any cases which have come to the notice of my hon. Friend so that I may at once look into them.
§ Mr. LevyIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is a general complaint all over the country and that consideration of isolated cases will not meet the difficulty? Is he aware that exorbitant rents are being charged in many cases for very poor accommodation?
§ Mr. BrownI hope that my hon. Friend will read the documents which I am sending him. There are many cases. I have this matter very much in mind, and I have circularised the local authorities twice on this matter, and that means the whole country. I ask for individual cases, because I am only too keen to follow them up, on this very grave issue.