HC Deb 20 June 1967 vol 748 cc1395-6
11. Mr. Winnick

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made in arranging to provide surveyor's assistance for tenants who appear before the rent assessment committees.

Mr. MacColl

As I mentioned in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop) on 6th June, my right hon. Friend is considering this question with the professional bodies concerned, and he is also considering whether some general guidance might be given to help those presenting their case before a committee.—[Vol. 747, c. 167.]

Mr. Winnick

For some time my hon. Friend has spoken about helping tenants. Is he aware that in some areas landlords and property companies have so organised themselves that they are willing to fight every decision when the rent officer reduces the rent?

Mr. MacColl

I hope that tenants will also organise themselves and be prepared to take action in the same way.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Will my hon. Friend treat this as a matter of extreme urgency? Is he aware that tenants who appear unrepresented before rent assessment committees are placed at a grave disadvantage vis-à-vis] landlords, who often have the highest quality technical assistance?

Mr. MacColl

I know that most of the presidents of panels agree with my hon. Friend that it would be a great help to them if there were representation for tenants, and we are getting on with our discussions with the bodies concerned.

Mr. Rippon

Will the hon. Gentleman accept that there will be widespread support for any action that he takes on this matter? Is he aware that there is great anxiety at the slowness in dealing with this? Will he introduce some legal aid or surveyor aid scheme for this?

Mr. Winnick

Under the 1957 Rent Act?

Mr. MacColl

I was discussing this only three hours ago. We are getting on with it.

Mr. Blenkinsop

May we have a definite date when we shall receive a reply in view of my hon. Friend's earlier replies to questions which I have asked on this subject?

Mr. MacColl

I do not think that it would be wise to give a firm date, but as soon as we have something definite we will put it forward.