§ 14. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health whether he realises how imperfectly Circular 224/45 has been understood by local authorities; and whether he will follow it by another circular making abundantly clear that the rent of requisitioned premises should be no more than the occupier can reasonably be expected to pay.
§ 8. Sir Frank Sandersonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the application of Circular 224/45 in the borough of Ealing will affect over 400 families by increasing their rents which they can ill afford; and, as it also affects tens of thousands of families in the London area, if he will consider its withdrawal.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware that there has been some misunderstanding of Circular 224/45, and a letter has now been sent to local authorities of areas in which difficulty has arisen, explaining how the rents of requisitioned premises should be assessed. I am sending a copy of this letter to both hon. Members.
§ Mr.GammansWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether in fixing these rents the principle of a means test is to be applied?
§ Mr. BevanThere has been no justification for the application of a means test. I think that when the hon. Member reads the letter he will see the position has now been cleared up satisfactorily.
§ Captain CrowderCould the Minister publish in HANSARD the letter to which he refers, so that we can all read it?