§ 3. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will institute an inquiry in Salford, in some other industrial city, or nationally, into the number of houses which have become decontrolled through a change of tenancy since the Rent Act became law and into the rent increases which have followed decontrol.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI am not sure what purpose the hon. Member thinks that such an inquiry would serve.
§ Mr. AllaunWould not the purpose be to reveal a very large number of such houses which are becoming decontrolled in this way despite the protection which was supposed to be given in the Rent Act to tenants in houses of under £30 a year rateable value? Does not this mean that new tenants, because of the terrible housing shortage, are being grossly overcharged when they go into their new homes?
§ Mr. BrookeNo, Sir, I do not think there would be any evidence of that. There would be evidence of the fact that not nearly so many of these decontrolled houses have been relet as the Government hoped. That is because the effect of the Opposition's pledge to repeal the Rent Act has operated severely against tenants and would-be tenants.
§ Mr. MitchisonDoes not the Minister think that decontrol and its effects are matters of importance and of concern 188 to him in relation to the housing situation generally? Why does he not answer the Question he has been asked?
§ Mr. BrookeI was anxious to know what was in the mind of the hon. Member, because I thought the effect of an inquiry such as he contemplated would certainly not satisfy him.