§ 39. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his estimate of the number of rents which will be decreased and increased, respectively, as the result of the Rent Bill, with separate figures in respect of the Greater London Council area; and how these figures are calculated.
§ Mr. MellishMy right hon. Friend has not attempted to make such estimates.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThen can the Joint Parliamentary Secretary say why he himself, on 3rd July at Hounslow, made the statement that 300,000 houses in the Greater London area alone would receive a reduction of rent as a result of the new Rent Bill?
§ Mr. MellishThe Question on the Order Paper related to my right hon. Friend and not to me. I will give the right hon. Gentleman my reason for the estimate. In England and Wales alone, there are 800,000 unfurnished tenancies decontrolled, mainly as a result of the Tory Rent Act. Most of those in the Greater London area will, in my view—to which I am entitled—benefit under the Rent Bill.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDoes it follow that the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Housing and Local Government is not prepared to take responsibility for a statement which, in the circumstances, most of us will regard as propaganda based on no factual basis?
§ Mr. MellishIn my speech I expressed a personal point of view based on figures, known also to the right hon. Gentleman, 865 of 800,000 unfurnished tenancies now decontrolled. I do not propose to be trapped on this issue. History will show who is right—the right hon. Gentleman or myself.