§ 22. Mr. George Jegerasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he is aware that tenants of long standing in hotels, boarding houses and apartment houses in London are being given notice to vacate their rooms so that they may be let at inflated rents to visitors to the Festival; and whether he will introduce legislation to deal with this matter.
§ Mr. DaltonI can hold out no hope of such legislation.
§ Mr. JegerIs my right hon. Friend aware that in various areas in London there is a real feeling that this is a scandal which is growing as the weeks go by? Is he aware that I know several cases of people who are quite elderly and have lived in the houses for a considerable number of years—in one case 18 years—and that they are being kicked out at a week's notice to make room for Festival visitors at a rent four times the original rent?
§ Mr. DaltonMy hon. Friend will appreciate that the form of his Question is such that legislation would be required. The plain truth is that such legislation cannot be introduced now owing to the pressure on the timetable, even if a case could be made out for it.
§ Mr. JegerCan my right hon. Friend hold out any hope that the rent tribunals will be able to do anything in these matters?
§ Mr. DaltonI have looked into that, but I am afraid that under the present law it is not possible. I would add that we want to make some revenue out of the visitors to the Festival.