HC Deb 14 March 1967 vol 743 cc207-8
13. Sir R. Russell

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how long he will require the Rent Act, 1965, to be in operation before he will make an order bringing controlled rents into the rent regulation system.

33. Mr. Dance

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to make an Order under the Rent Act, 1965, to transfer existing controlled tenancies into the new fair-rent class of regulated tenancies.

Mr. Greenwood

I cannot add anything to my reply to the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Longden) on 7th February.—[Vol. 740, c. 1338–9.]

Sir R. Russell

Is the Minister not aware that many landlords are suffering from hardship under this, even more than the tenants? Would he look into this again? As my hon. Friend said, we want fair rents for both sides.

Mr. Greenwood

I think that there could be hardship on both sides in cases of this kind, but I should like the hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that we have embarked on a publicity campaign to make sure that the public make full use of the fair rent machinery that is available to them. I would sooner not change the situation until we have further information about the use which is being made of the rent officers.

Mr. Graham Page

Is it not true that many of the rent officers are far from overworked, in the provinces at any rate, and the same with rent assessment committee, and that they could undertake the work of regulated tenancies if the controlled tenancies were converted?

Mr. Greenwood

The burden which is falling on rent officers and assessment committees is very uneven, but the next step is to try to spread the burden more evenly by organisational changes, rather than change the status of the tenants.

Mr. Frank Allaun

In view of the vast number of tenants paying unfairly high rents, who have not taken their cases to the rent officers, will the Minister resist the proposal that has just been made and, instead, go ahead along the lines he suggested of a much bigger publicity campaign on television so that tenants will know their rights?

Mr. Greenwood

I have already resisted the suggestion, and I hope that the publicity upon which we have embarked will produce useful results.