HC Deb 08 April 1952 vol 498 cc2478-9
37. Mr. G. Williams

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the hardship caused under the Rent Restriction Acts and that tenants are forced to live in uncongenial homes owing to the impossibility in many cases of the landlords doing the necessary repairs; and if he will therefore take steps to implement the recommendations of the Ridley Report.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I cannot add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 1st April.

Mr. Williams

I did not hear the reply, but I do ask my right hon. Friend to treat this as very urgent, because in many cases the rents do not even cover the cost of repairs, and it is the tenants who are suffering. The sanitary inspector comes along, but nothing can be done because there is no money there to do the repairs.

Mr. Macmillan

Yes, it is a difficult and complicated question, but I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that it is not suitably dealt with by Question and answer.

Mr. Janner

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see to it that those landlords who have been drawing the excess amount which was allowed under the Rent Restriction Acts for repairs will do the repairs which they have not done for so many years?

Mr. Macmillan

That is for the local authorities.