HC Deb 30 March 1955 vol 539 cc460-1

7.30 p.m.

Mr. Sandys

I beg to move, in page 4, line 36, at the end, to insert: to the nature of the interest of the owner in the dwelling and, in such cases as may be so determined, to the character of the dwelling. This Amendment was foreshadowed during the Committee stage. Its purpose is to allow the Government to prescribe different rates of compensation in respect of different interests and classes of property.

Mr. Hay

I should like to ask my right hon. Friend a question about this matter. He says that the intention is to enable the Government to prescribe different rates for different interests and classes of property. Does he mean by that that the rates, when prescribed, will be set out as a considerable number, or does he mean, in fact, in every individual case, that the Government will have to consider an individual house and prescribe the rate? The words which we are proposing to insert, when attached to the other words in this paragraph, rather leave that impression.

We have not yet, so far as I know, either in the Standing Committee or today, had any statement by my right hon. Friend as to the rates which he intends to prescribe. If, in answering the point which I have raised, he could say something about that, I should be much obliged.

Mr. Sandys

The Amendment deals primarily with matters like leasehold interests, where it will be desirable to take into account the length of the unexpired lease. I think it is non-controversial and it is essential.

Mr. Hay

I was asking my right hon. Friend particularly about the words "…character of the dwelling." What I had in mind was that that goes a little further than the interests involved.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. A. Evans

I beg to move, in page 5, line 23, to leave out "allow" and to insert "determine."

This is no more than a drafting Amendment, which I hope the Minister will accept. Its purpose is to make sure that when a local authority decides to vary the rent on a house dealt with under Clause 4, the landlord will be obliged to accept the variation and will also be obliged to accept any corresponding variation in the amount paid by the local authority to the landlord. A similar Amendment was moved in Committee, and the Minister agreed with the purpose of it. He undertook to look at it again, and perhaps he will tell us what he now thinks, and if this Amendment is suitable for acceptance.

Mr. Mitehison

I beg to second the Amendment.

Mr. Sandys

The Amendment fully conforms with the undertaking which I gave during the Committee stage. The form of it is agreed, and I recommend the House to adopt it.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 5, line 23. leave out " owner " and insert " landlord."

In line 30, leave out from second " the " to " an " in line 32 and insert " landlord."—[Mr. Sandys.]