§ 27. Sir L. Plummerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the results of the consultations he has had with metropolitan boroughs, with a view to ensuring security of tenure to tenants who have been induced to move from one part of a house to another.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI assume that the hon. Member refers to statutory tenants. There have been no consultations directed specially to this point. Section 17 of the Rent Act, 1957, provides means of ensuring security where a statutory tenant previously occupied the accommodation taken over.
§ Sir L. PlummerThe Minister cannot have all the information. Does not he know that the metropolitan boroughs would be able to give him advice and statistical proof of the effect that all this is having? Why does not he want to get this very valuable experience?
§ Mr. BrookeI certainly have not pushed the metropolitan boroughs away from me. I received a deputation from five of them and I also received representations direct from the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee.
§ Mr. M. StewartIs the Minister aware that what would happen in a case like this is that an elderly or infirm tenant occupying an upstairs part of the house might be persuaded, with the offer of slightly more attractive premises, or more convenient premises downstairs, to move the tenancy; and then would find out, when it was too late, that the premises had become decontrolled; and the tenant would be turned out or have the rent raised without a limit? That is the result of the Act for which the right hon. Gentleman is responsible. What is he Prepared to do about it?
§ Mr. BrookeI have repeatedly said that I want local authorities and all concerned to make the fullest information available about the provisions of the Rent Act.