§ 11. Mr. Gibsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether in view of the wide extension of the practice of charging premiums for HOUSE-lettings. he now proposes to bring before the House proposals for strengthening the law to prevent this unfair practice by HOUSE-owners.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI have no evidence of any increase in demands for premiums as such. A Bill relating to excessive charges for furniture and fittings introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Mr. Mawby), received its Second Reading last Friday.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the Minister aware that that reply is completely contrary to everything that was said in last Friday's debate upon the Bill to which he has referred? Is he also aware that I have here a report published by a newspaper in his own constituency of two cases which occurred within the last week or two, in one of which the rent was£300 and the furniture and fittings were charged at£250. and in the other where the rent was£208 inclusive and the premium for what are called complete fittings was£450? Is not the Minister aware that all over London there are serious complaints about excessive charges for premiums? Will he undertake to give the Bill to which he has referred Government support when it reaches the Committee stage?
§ Mr. BrookeThe two cases which the hon. Member has quoted prove nothing until somebody has looked at the furniture and fittings. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary indicated last Friday that the Government supported the general purpose of the Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Mr. Mawby), although it may require further examination in Committee.