23. Major Leģģe-Bourkeasked the Minister of Health what changes have been made in the basis of assessment of rent payable for accommodation provided under his requisitioning powers.
§ Mr. BevanI am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the original Circular 183/45, and of the amending Circular 224 / 45. Comparison of the two shows the changes which have been made.
Major Leģģe-BourkeIs the right hon. Gentleman, in those circulars, making any effort to obtain uniformity in this matter?
§ Mr. BevanThe local authorities in many instances are applying the circulars differently. I am having the position examined.
§ Mr. H. HyndWill the Minister make clear to local authorities that they are not expected to put so tight an interpretation on this Circular 224 as to ignore the rent previously paid by the tenants?
§ Mr. BevanThere arc other Questions on the same subject on the Order Paper. I am rather disappointed by the manner in which some of the local authorities have used their discretion.
§ 26. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Health how many objections he has had from local authorities to the operation of Circular No. 244; how many objections from individuals; and whether he will state the names of the councils objecting
§ Mr. BevanObjections to the operation of Circular 224/45, which I presume is the Circular referred to by my hon. Friend, have been received from 12 local authorities and from some 75 individuals. I will, with permission, circulate the names of the objecting councils in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. LewisIn view of the general misunderstanding and misinterpretation on the part of many local authorities as to the interpretation of this Report, will the Minister state whether it is a statement of fact that they have no need to increase the rents unless they so desire? If they do not increase the rents, is it not a fact that he will take no action against them?
§ Following is the list:
§ Beckenham B., Bexley B., Cheshunt U., Chislehurst and Sidcup U., Crayford B., Erith B., Kingston-on-Thames B., Malden and Coombe B., Walthamstow B., Wembley B., Wanstead and Woodford B., Willesden B.
§ 29. Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that arising from Circular 224/45, it has been found that a number of tenants in requisitioned properties have been paying more than the controlled rent; and what steps he will take to ensure that the excesses of rent paid by these tenants are now refunded to them.
§ Mr. BevanIn some cases, tenants were paying more than the controlled rent before Circular 183/45 was issued in October, but they should not have done so since. It would not be practicable to reopen those past transactions.
§ Mr. PiratinDo I understand from the answer that the extra which they have paid will not be refunded to them?
§ Mr. BevanIt would not now be practicable to reopen these discussions and make the payment retrospective, but, as my hon. Friend knows, the position has been put right.