§ 52. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the number of cases dealt with by the Lewisham Rent Tribunal and the total number of cases heard by tribunals in Kent from 1st January, 1950, to 30th September, 1952; and why it has not been found possible to allow people adjoining the Lewisham Tribunal area to make use of the Lewisham office when seeking guidance on appropriate matters.
§ Mr. Marples687 cases were dealt with by the Lewisham Tribunal, of which 183 were incompetent, invalid or withdrawn; for tribunals in Kent the corresponding figures are 1,646 and 340. As regards the second part of the Question, there is no restriction of the kind implied.
§ Mr. DoddsDo I take it that the people in North-West Kent can make use of the Lewisham Rent Tribunal office? If that is so, it is contrary to what the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend has said, and I am very pleased to know that they have changed their minds for the convenience of the people of North-West Kent.
§ Mr. MarplesThe hon. Member is slightly mistaken. It is the function of rent tribunals to determine rents, not necessarily to give guidance, but the Question refers to guidance. If anyone goes to the local authority's office, explanatory leaflets about rent tribunals may be obtained. The Question on the Paper is, why cannot people use the Lewisham Tribunal office when seeking guidance, and the answer is that they can use the office when seeking guidance.