10. Mr. Brockwaysasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what reply he has sent to the resolution of the housing committee of the Slough Borough Council asking him to investigate and take action against those landlords in the borough who are exploiting the housing shortage by demanding high rents.
§ Sir K. JosephI am sending the hon. Member a copy of my reply.
§ Mr. BrockwayDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is of rather wider public interest than merely sending me a copy of his reply? Has not the Minister told local authorities that, when exorbitant rents are charged, he will support the compulsory purchase of the property? Is it not a fact that in Slough, when application has been made, the compulsory purchase has been denied and that landlords in Slough are now charging from five to seven times the gross value of the property? When will the right hon. Gentleman do something about it?
§ Sir K. JosephThe hon. Gentleman has his facts wrong. Slough has submitted two applications for compulsory purchase and in both cases has withdrawn the applications before inquiry. Rents have risen because earnings have risen by about five times since before the war.