§ 7. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware that, preparatory to slum clearance, local authorities, whilst required to send notice to owners of the regulations regarding compensation for well maintained houses, are not required to notify tenants, and that some councils are not doing so even though tenants in certain circumstances are entitled to compensation; and if, in order to avoid tenants losing their rights, he will take steps to require local authorities to notify tenants as well as owners.
§ Sir K. JosephTenants with an interest of more than a month are notified direct by the local authority and 1117 landlords are asked, in the notice they receive, to inform other tenants of the possibility of claiming a payment. I believe these arrangements work satisfactorily but I am considering whether anything more is required. If the hon. Member has any evidence that difficulties have occurred perhaps he will send it to me.
§ Mr. AllaunI am grateful for that reply, and will certainly send the evidence. Does not this mean that at present there is one law for the landlord and another one, less favourable, for the tenant?
§ Sir K. JosephNo, I think not, The payment is made to the person who has carried out or been responsible for carrying out the maintenance. Generally that is the landlord, but there are arrangements for passing on the information to the tenant.