§ 1. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Health what regulations exist for the control of rent in relation to a licence granted for the reconversion of a purchased house into a number of flats.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)There are no regulations dealing with the matter to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, and I doubt if, in view of the widely varying circumstances, this matter could appropriately be dealt with by general Regulation.
§ Major Legge-BourkeDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Rent Restriction Act does not apply to houses not let in 1939, and that unlimited profit can be made from houses now let that were not let at that time? Will he make Regulations to prevent such profits being made by this exploitation of the housing shortage?
§ Mr. BevanThese circumstances are of infinite variation, and it is extremely difficult to see how Regulations can be framed which will deal accurately with each set of circumstances. I will, however, look at the matter again to see if something can be done.
§ mMr. Godfrey NicholsonIs the Minister aware that in one London borough his Department is preventing conversion of war-damaged houses into flats by insisting that the houses shall first be restored as single houses before the necessary money is spent on converting them into flats? Is not that a great waste of money?