HC Deb 14 March 1967 vol 743 cc222-4
34. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take action to ensure that no tenant appearing before a rent assessment tribunal will have his case prejudiced by his inability to hire the services of a professional surveyor.

Mr. MacColl

My right hon. Friend has discussed this problem with the presidents of the rent assessment panels and I know that rent assessment committees have been asked to take special care to see that unrepresented parties receive full consideration. However, my right hon. Friend is considering with representatives of the surveying profession whether anything more can be done.

Mr. Moyle

I am grateful for that reply. No doubt my hon. Friend is aware that a tenant's success before the rent assessment committee depends largely on his professional advice and representation. Is he aware that, in a recent issue of the Journal of the Chartered Auctioneers' and Estate Agents' Institute, the President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors drew attention to the fact that many tenants had difficulties in finding surveyors or valuers prepared to act on their behalf?

Mr. MacColl

We are in touch with the chartered surveyors' societies on the best way of making these facilities available.

Mr. Graham Page

But has the question of granting legal aid in these cases been considered? It was raised in a recent debate on the subject.

Mr. MacColl

It would be difficult to provide legal aid in these cases if it were not provided for hearings before other tribunals.

Mr. Grant

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Chartered Land Societies Committee is working on a scheme to provide this sort of surveyor's aid to these people, but that the response from the Ministry of Housing, they say, has been thoroughly discouraging? Are the Government prepared to give the necessary financial assistance if such a scheme is launched?

Mr. MacColl

That is not my evidence about what the Chartered Land Societies Committee has said.