HC Deb 21 January 1964 vol 687 cc898-9
16. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will send an observer to attend the proceedings on all county court cases in the London area involving claims for arrears of rent or possession which may assist the investigations of the Milner Holland Committee.

Sir K. Joseph

No, Sir.

Mr. Lipton

When will the Government show a little more vigour in rooting out some or these spiv, crooked, mystery landlords who are now operating without any restrictions whatsoever? Will he at least undertake to send someone to investigate a case the details of which I cannot no to give him, but which I have already send to him, in connection with which one of these mushroom landlords, operating in the Brady-Waters slum empire, is suing one of my constituents for six years' arrears of rent? Will he go along himself and see what is happening?

Sir K. Joseph

The Question concerns the provision of assistance in the investigations of the Milner Holland Committee. This is a Committee which I take extremely seriously, and which I shall do all I can to help, if that Committee asks for any assistance. But I must leave it to make its own inquiries.

Mr. M. Stewart

Is that Committee taking steps to observe some of the county court cases of this nature? One would think that this was an obvious source of information to it.

Sir K. Joseph

When housing Questions were last asked the fact came out that the Milner Holland Committee had asked the clerks of county courts to send it the answers to a certain number of questions.

Mr. Lipton

Then why not say so?