§ 22. Mr. V. Yatesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has studied the further evidence in the case of Mr. S. I. Sansoni sent to him by the hon. Member for the Ladywood Division of Birmingham;and whether he will reconsider his decision not to take action in this matter.
§ Mr. RipponIf the information I gave in my reply of 3rd May was inaccurate, I apologise to the hon. Member and to the House. I gave the facts as they were then known to the Ministry.
My right hon. Friend has reconsidered this case in the light of the new information which the hon. Member has provided, but he still does not think that it indicates any need for new legislation.
§ Mr. YatesI appreciate that statement, but in view of the fact that this tenant's rent was increased from £9 to £12 and from £12 to £14, which the city council thought was excessive, and which has moved it to take steps to acquire the property compulsorily, and since the evidence that I am now submitting tends to confirm that there are dozens of cases in Birmingham—according to the housing manager—will not the Minister take action so that tenants of this kind may be protected from extravagant demands being made upon them?
§ Mr. RipponThe facts of this case are complex. There may now well be an inquiry into the compulsory purchase order. On the last occasion I intimated that the Birmingham City Council found no merits in this man's case. I think that it was then referring to the housing aspects. It is now clear that the Council is concerned about the rent aspect of the matter. The hon. Member was quite justified in raising this case. We must now leave it for further development.