§ 36. Mr. M. Stewartasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what increase in the amount of unfurnished accommodation to let has occurred since the passing the Rent Act, 1957.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe Rent Act has certainly increased the amount of unfurnished accommodation to let coming on to the market, but I cannot say by how much.
§ Mr. StewartIs the Minister aware that he has no evidence for the statement that he repeatedly makes on this matter?
§ Mr. BrookeThe hon. Member says that I have no evidence. As a matter of fact, I had an examination made of the London evening papers for four weeks in 1956 just before the Rent Bill was published. During that period only 40 flats were advertised to let unfurnished. An examination of the London evening newspapers in the corresponding four weeks in 1960 disclosed not 40 but 760.
§ Mr. StewartWill the Minister tell us at what rents this accommodation was available, and will he explain to his hon. Friends behind him that accommodation of that kind is of no use to the great majority of people who are afflicted by the Rent Act?
§ Mr. BrookeI can certainly tell the hon. Gentleman that a large number of the 760 were at quite reasonable rents.