§ 21. Dr. Brayasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs in view of the new statement of Her Majesty's Government's policy in Command Paper 2050, and the absence in it of any reference to the private landlord, if he will now propose the repeal of the Rent Act.
§ Sir K. JosephNo, Sir,
§ Dr. BrayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has finally buried the last pretence that there is any positive aspect of the Rent Act? Does he not think that some change in legislation is needed in view of his admission of the failure of Government policy in housing?
§ Sir K. JosephBut for the Rent Act the shortage of rented accommodation would be even more acute than it is. I say that in full acknowledgement of the fact that a number of houses, when they are vacated by their tenants, are sold, but far fewer than there would be if rent control were reimposed.
§ Mr. M. StewartWill the right hon. Gentleman at least repeal that Section 215 of the Rent Act which enables him at any time to order the decontrol of houses, including those which are now controlled, since it is clear that the private landlord will not play any serious part in providing accommodation for rent? Will he give up any idea of any further decontrol of housing?
§ Sir K. JosephThe answer to the first part of the supplementary question is "No, Sir". As for the part played by the private landlord, it is the Opposition who, by threatening to reimpose rent control, have successfully stopped any further private building for rent.
§ Mr. M. StewartIf the Opposition are being successful and the Government's policy is failing, is it not time we had a change of Government?
§ Sir K. JosephIt is just because the Opposition take such a negative, retrograde, obstructive attitude that in our White Paper we propose another way of providing housing to rent.
§ Mr. Stewartrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerI feel confident that these topics are a little wide for Question Time.