HC Deb 29 March 1960 vol 620 cc1131-2
20. Mr. Short

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will introduce legislation restricting the right of a landlord to serve notice to quit upon a tenant within a specified interval after a freely negotiated exchange of tenancies.

Mr. H. Brooke

I assume that the hon. Member refers to statutory tenancies. Under Section 17 of the Rent Act, 1957, statutory tenancies can be exchanged, provided the landlord and any superior landlord whose consent to an assignment would have been required are made parties to the agreement for the exchange. Each incoming tenant then remains a statutory tenant of the premises so exchanged, and has the normal protection against a landlord's claim for possession.

Mr. Short

Does the right hon. Gentleman really understand the case on which this Question is based? The gentleman concerned was the owner and occupier of a house. He wished to sell it, but wanted somewhere to live, and advertised for an exchange. He exchanged, and once he was installed in the other person's house he gave notice to the person living in his house to quit the premises. Will the right hon. Gentleman make some observation on a practice which may be legal under the Rent Act but which is an immoral and disgraceful thing to do?

Mr. Brooke

I believe the hon. Member is asking a supplementary question based on his next Question.