§ 34. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health in view of the increasingly complicated position arising from the various Rent Restriction Acts, and particularly in view of the recent decision that the rent of a flat of £275 a year, including rates and the use by the tenant of linoleum, kitchen cabinet, refrigerator, fitted bathroom cabinet and mirrors at present valued at £30 per annum, constituted a non-controlled letting; whether he will take steps to give adequate protection to tenants by legislation at an early date.
§ Mr. BevanThe rent of furnished houses outside the scope of the Rent Restriction Acts will be subject to control under the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Bill, which will shortly become law. I will consider whether more protection should be given to tenants of partly furnished houses in the general review of the provisions of the Rent Restriction Acts, but I can hold out no hope of further legislation in the near future.
§ Mr. JannerBut is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this decision will 1271 affect a vast number of houses throughout the length and breadth of the country, hundreds of thousands of them; that tenants of those houses will not be protected against ejection; and that some steps must be taken in order that those who thought they were covered by the Rent Restriction Acts may be protected against being turned out by their landlords?
§ Mr. BevanIt is not yet clear what will be the implications of the decision. It is not yet clear, in fact, whether the decision will stand. I think the hon. Member is being unnecessarily an alarmist.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteWill the right hon. Gentleman, in his future legislation, contemplate the possibility of a consolidating Measure which will telescope the existing Rent Restriction Acts and clarify the law. which is very complicated?
§ Mr. JannerBut is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that notices are already being given to tenants, and that they are being asked to quit premises in consequence of the fact that this particular decision has been made? Does he realise that a table and a chair in a small tenement might constitute a furnished apartment?
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. Member must realise that all I can do is to express an opinion upon the desirability or otherwise of introducing legislation. Whether Parliamentary time can be found for the legislation is not a matter for me, but for the Prime Minister or the Leader of the House.
§ Mr. JannerWill the right hon. Gentleman direct local authorities to requisition such premises?
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. Member asks this question every week. We are perfectly well aware of the position.