HC Deb 02 July 1942 vol 381 cc488-9
23. Mr. Bartlett

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to prevent landlords from charging increased rentals to sitting or incoming tenants of flats which do not come under the protection of the Rent Restrictions Act?

Mr. E. Brown

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, many owners have been forced by the war to let their dwellings at a loss and they, naturally, seek to obtain normal rents as and when opportunity offers. I see no reason why the raising of temporarily reduced rents within the limits imposed by the Rent Restriction Acts should be prevented, and I am not satisfied that there is any strong case for extending the scope of the Acts to cover the small number of expensive dwellings, the rents of which are not at present controlled.

Mr. Thorne

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the remedy is in cases where rent is being overcharged?

Mr. Brown

I will send the details to my hon. Friend.