§ 21. Mr. Shortasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what request he has received from the local authority concerned to authorise the compulsory purchase of 111 Wayside, Newcastle, on its vacation by the present tenant, Mrs. Ritchards, who has received notice to quit three months after agreeing to a freely negotiated exchange of tenancies with the present landlord.
§ Mr. H. BrookeNone, Sir. I understand that the notice to quit was served following damage to the property, but that it has now been withdrawn.
§ Mr. ShortIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is quite wrong in assuming that there was any damage to the property? The notice has been withdrawn because I am raising the matter in the House today. Will he not now condemn the thoroughly disgraceful action of this landlord under the Rent Act?
§ Mr. BrookeNo, Sir. I would advise the hon. Member to make further 1133 inquiries into what actually happened in this case. I think I probably know more about it than he does. I certainly do not think that a person should be deprived of his right to serve notice to quit if the premises which are occupied by his tenant are being damaged.
§ Mr. ShortIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, and in view of the slander on my constituent, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.