§ 29. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government in how many cases rent assessment committees, when hearing cases, have received representations from Members of Parliament; and what is his policy regarding the attention to be paid by rent assessment committees to such representations.
§ Mr. MacCollI have not the information asked for in the first part of the Question. A Member of Parliament may represent, or give evidence for, a party before a rent assessment committee. I have no doubt that the committee would welcome his attendance and would treat his representations just as they would those of anyone else seeking to represent the viewpoint of one of the parties.
§ Mr. KingDoes the Minister not accept that it is the function of these committees to have regard not to compassionate circumstances but to valuations and, therefore, evidence which is inexpert is inappropriate, if not improper?
§ Mr. MacCollOne of our major problems in the working of the Rent Act is to be quite certain that tenants and landlords who do not find it easy to put their case, get skilled assistance in putting it, and I see no reason why Members of Parliament, any more than anyone else, should not help people in need.