§ 33. Mr. Fletcherasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will give an assurance that there will be no further decontrol of rents during the present Parliament.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe assurance has already been given that the Government will take no further action to decontrol rents in this Parliament.
§ Mr. FletcherIs the Minister aware that, while the Rent Act remains un-amended, creeping decontrol is continuing every day? Is he aware from information sent to him that a great many landlords are seeking to abuse and evade the provisions of the Rent Act in order to obtain vacant possession, thus causing intolerable hardship to tenants? Will he therefore recognise the necessity for legislation to stop creeping decontrol?
§ Mr. BrookeWhat the hon. Member is now asking is that we should amend the Rent Act backwards. That I am not prepared to do, nor am I prepared to accept his statement that a great many landlords are abusing their powers.