HC Deb 08 November 1960 vol 629 cc819-20
11. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that the rents of many houses without a bath, hot water or inside toilet, which were approximately doubled under the Rent Act, have been doubled again and in some cases trebled, following a change of tenant; and if he will take steps to prevent the continuation of this practice.

5. Mr. Mellish

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that, as a consequence of the decontrol of property, rents are now being charged which deter many families from moving into more suitable accommodation; and if he will introduce legislation to stabilise rents at their existing levels.

Mr. H. Brooke

For the reasons I gave in the debate on 26th October, I am not prepared to reintroduce rent control.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Minister aware that I can take him to a row of identical slum houses, each with a controlled rent of 14s. 11d., except for one, for which the family, owing to a change of tenancy, pays 48s. a week? Where is the £9 a week labourer and his family to go? This creeping decontrol is affecting several hundred thousand houses each year owing to death or removal of tenants.

Mr. Brooke

If these are slum houses, the most desirable thing is that the local authority should take action and pull them down.

Mr. Fletcher

Is not the Minister by now aware that this creeping decontrol is having a most serious effect on the ability of many families in London and elsewhere to find any accommodation within their means? There are families wandering about, not merely deterred from getting other accommodation, but literally unable to afford it. Will not he reconsider his decision about creeping decontrol?

Mr. Brooke

No. With respect to the hon. Member, he is exaggerating. All these things will be open to debate later in the day.

Mr. Gower

If some measure of decontrol is desirable, as most experts agree, is not the creeping decontrol as described by the hon. Member by far the most desirable form of decontrol, in that it inflicts little or no hardship on anyone?

Mr. Brooke

The Government certainly have no intention of going back on it.