§ 1. Mr. Parkinasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what study he has made of the formula approved by Westminster City Council for transferring the rights of controlled tenants when they are asked to move to permit redevelopment, a copy of which has been sent to him; and whether he will recommend to all local authorities its adoption as a standard form in rent books of controlled tenancies in order to prevent the method whereby tenants are told that, to make room for redevelopment, their controlled tenancies will cease.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Sir Keith Joseph)I have seen the specimen agreement referred to by the hon. Member. Whilst I welcome the help such agreements may give, I would 210 strongly recommend anyone transferring from a controlled tenancy to other accommodation in such circumstances to get expert advice on his individual case. I propose to require that a recommendation to this effect should be inserted in all rent books for controlled tenancies.
§ Mr. ParkinIs the Minister aware how much satisfaction that reply gives to me personally, as it will, I am sure, in all parts of the House? Will he see that the widest publicity is given to this and that there is the widest adoption of this principle, because the adoption of this device would make much easier the mobility which, we know, is required if under-occupied and under-equipped dwellings are to be exchanged for others to permit of their restoration?
§ Sir K. JosephI welcome all publicity for the need of controlled tenants to take advice before thinking of leaving their controlled tenancy.
§ 2. Mr. Parkinasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that persons are being persuaded to leave their controlled tenancies on the supposition that they are signing standard leases for new accommodation, which are actually receipts for surrender of their tenancies; and if he will introduce legislation this Session to give protection to such persons.
§ Sir K. JosephI am aware that in one way or another, sometimes resembling the method stated, tenants are occasionally tricked into moving from controlled properties. There is no easy way of making sure that people avail themselves of the protection which the law affords them, but when the Milner Holland Report is available the Government will act to provide any further protection which is shown to be necessary and effective.
§ Mr. ParkinIs the Minister aware that what I shall continue to describe as chicanery and fraud is often upheld as one of the most important guiding principles of good estate management on the ground that a person should keep his property unencumbered and give as little security as possible, so that if he wants to raise money from the bank he will be able to give a valuation as 211 with vacant possession, which entitles him to a greater loan than he could otherwise get? When considering all aspects of this matter, will the Minister consider inviting, perhaps, the banks or providing, as he once did, through building societies special loans for those who are prepared to pledge fully-tenanted secured properties in return for loans?