§ 20. Mr. Alportasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether, in view of the decision of local authorities to charge additional rent for council houses in which more than one family are accommodated or in which the tenant takes any lodgers, he will consider taking the necessary steps to extend this principle to rent-restricted accommodation providing that adequate safeguards exist against overcrowding and against exploitation of the tenant by the landlord.
§ Mr. DaltonThis would require legislation for which time is not available.
§ Mr. AlportDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that there is a very good case for this amending legislation, in view of the deterioration to privately-owned dwellings over the last few years?
§ Mr. DaltonThe suggestion of raising rents or permitting the raising of rents over the vast area covered by the Rent Restriction Acts is a major operation upon which I am not prepared to embark.
§ Mr. AlportThis proposal is not for a review of the whole problem of rent restriction but for amending one aspect of it, with a view to assisting housing throughout the country?