§ 5. Mr. Walker-Smithasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he will notify chairmen of rent tribunals of the desirability, when so requested in difficult or complex cases, of 1733 issuing their decisions in a reasoned form as speaking orders so that their decisions may be subject to review and benefit by the guidance of the High Court of Justice.
§ Mr. DaltonI have no power to give such a direction.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithDoes the Minister appreciate that the Question does not refer to a direction but to a letter of advice? Has he studied the decision of the High Court in the case of the King against the Northumberland Appeal Tribunal, and does he not agree that the best of these tribunals will welcome the opportunity of such guidance and that the worst of them ought to have it?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. I do not agree. This question was discussed—that is, the question of the right of appeal from a decision of the tribunal to the courts—in the debate on the Landlord and Tenant (Rent Control) Act, 1949. That is what is involved here, and it would merely result in clogging up the lists of these tribunals. They deal with a large number of cases; 85,000 cases have been dealt with. To give rights of appeal on these would greatly prolong the procedure. Our hope is to quicken the answers.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithWill the right hon. Gentleman read the Question—if he has not already done so—and the words "in difficult or complex cases"? Does he not appreciate the Question is limited to that?
§ Mr. DaltonA number of cases which some might think difficult and complex may not have been so regarded by the tribunals.