HC Deb 29 January 1963 vol 670 cc737-8
20. Mr. Elwyn Jones

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what reply he has given to the letter of the town clerk of West Ham, dated 16th January, 1963, inviting him to consider introducing legislation which would have the effect of ensuring that where residential premises are offered for sale the tenants should have the right of first refusal.

Sir K. Joseph

I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy of my reply.

Mr. Elwyn Jones

Has the Minister given an affirmative answer to the suggestion that, in cases where property companies buy blocks of houses at auction sales, the tenants of the houses should be given first refusal of buying them? Is he aware that in my constituency and in other places property companies are buying up blocks of small houses wholesale, in which the tenants have lived for many years—for decades in fact—without the tenants being given any chance of redeeming the situation? Is not this practice both harsh and unjust?

Sir K. Joseph

In many cases landlords give first refusals to tenants, but it would raise all sorts of difficulties to make that a statutory obligation and would introduce by a side-wind an obligation to control prices as well. If the hon. Member would be good enough, I should be grateful to receive details of any cases where eviction occurs as a result of the process he describes.

Mr. A. Lewis

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this is a good suggestion which the town clerk has sent forward to protect tenants? As the Minister has said that he is interested in looking after the interests of tenants, may I ask whether he could not have discussions through his Department with the town clerk of West Ham to see whether a suitable scheme could be put forward? Failing that, could the right hon. Gentleman have discussions with hon. Members on this side of the House, since we can give him a Private Bill which will meet the point?

Sir K. Joseph

Obviously, I shall study any views sent to me, but this is part of the wider discussions we have had already on leasehold enfranchisement.