§ 15. Flight-Lieutenant Haireasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that estate agents and others are in many cases demanding considerable premiums for possession of vacant houses; and what steps he proposes to take to stop such profiteering.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware that allegations in this sense are frequently made, but I may remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the law already makes it an offence for a landlord or agent to receive a premium for the tenancy of a controlled house, and pending the general review of the Rent Restrictions Acts it is not practicable to deal with this point in isolation.
§ Flight-Lieutenant HaireIs the Minister aware that sums, often as large as £100 and more, are asked of ex-Servicemen and others for key money? Is this not really tantamount to a breach of the Rent Restrictions Acts?
§ Mr. BevanWhere instances of that sort can be traced it is an offence, and action should be taken. Unfortunately, I cannot deal with the position when it is concealed.
§ Mr. GammansWill the Minister say when he is going to deal with the Rent Restrictions Acts?
§ Mr. BevanI have already pointed out on many occasions that there will not be time to deal with the Rent Restrictions Acts for a little while ahead. Even the Rent Restrictions Acts and other Acts of Parliament cannot always trace illegal transactions, as I have pointed out.