§ 3. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that each time local authorities increase council house rents they are required to give tenants notice that their tenancy is ended, and that this causes unnecessary anxiety; and if he will introduce legislation to make this notice no longer required.
§ Mr. CorfieldMy right hon. Friend is advised that local authorities can avoid the need to give such a notice by introducing into their conditions of tenancy a clause permitting rent adjustments to be made.
§ Mr. AllaunIs the hon. Gentleman aware that about two years ago the then Minister, now the Home Secretary, wrote to me agreeing that this remedy was desirable and indicating that the change might be included in wider housing legislation subsequently? As this change has never been made, will the hon. Gentleman now consider making it to avoid giving tenants an unnecessary and additional shock every time the councils are forced to raise their rents because of the Government's high interest charges?
§ Mr. CorfieldI appreciate that, in certain circumstances, anxiety can be caused by the notice to quit which is sometimes necessary, but I cannot believe that it is beyond the wit of local authorities so to frame that notice as to allay the anxiety. I will certainly consider what further advice might appropriately be given to local authorities on the subject.