§ 15. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will issue a circular to local authorities to the effect that when distraining on council tenants in arrears with their rent their bailiffs should be instructed not to seize rented television sets.
§ Mr. MacCollNo, Sir. The law already provides protection from distress for goods belonging to third parties.
§ Mr. MartenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many television sets in local authority houses are rented? Should not the local authority set a good example by instructing its bailiffs not to take television sets before they have inquired whether they are rented, because dealers are making a great loss on this?
§ Mr. MacCollThere is provision in the law whereby third parties can protect themselves by making declarations at appropriate times.
§ Mr. John FraserWill my hon. Friend realise that the problem could easily be 209 solved by local authorities not using bailiffs at all?
§ Mr. MacCollThe validity of distress was looked at by the Law Commission only last year and it came to the conclusion that power to distrain should be retained pending more efficient remedies.