HC Deb 14 March 1967 vol 743 cc205-6
7. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the number of rent assessment committee decisions up to a recent date; how many varied the rent officer's determination in the landlords' favour and how many in the tenants' favour t and why in some areas they varied them five times in the former direction for every one in the latter.

Mr. Greenwood

In 2,055 cases decided by rent assessment committees up to 28th February the rent previously registered by the rent officer was reduced by the committee's decision in 328 cases, unchanged in 683 and increased in 1,044. The original rent was reduced by the committee's decision in 1,525 cases, unchanged in 84 and increased in 446. Each individual case is of course decided impartially on its merits.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Minister aware that many Labour M.P.s are very deeply perturbed about this matter? Would he therefore put the position right by making a public statement, which the rent assessment committee members can read, that the 1957 Rent Act encouraged exorbitant rents and that the intention of Labour's Rent Act was to restore the balance in favour of the tenant?

Mr. Greenwood

I hope that my hon. Friend will bear in mind that, while accepting what he said, the original rent has been reduced in the substantial majority of cases. I think this is the most important aspect of it. I am aware of the anxiety that he and others of my hon. Friends feel about this. I share it. I am in constant discussion with representatives of the rent assessment panels and the rent officers, and I am keeping a very close watch on the situation.

Mr. Graham Page

Will the Minister confirm that what the rent assessment committee has to discover is a fair rent—not a rent favourable to either side, but a fair rent?

Mr. Greenwood

That is what the Act says, and I fully accept it. I have to be careful not to interfere with the discretion which resides with the rent assessment committees or to seek to influence them in their decisions.

Mr. Atkinson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some properties are so bad and in such disrepair that, were it not for scarcity, they would not attract tenants? Does he not agree that, if the element of scarcity were deducted from the rent, the rent would be nil and any tenants would live there rent-free? Would he consider setting up an inquiry to advise him on what is meant by the word "scarcity" in the Act?

Mr. Greenwood

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will let me have any information about any specific case which he has in mind, and I will see whether any conclusions can be drawn from it.

Mr. John Fraser

Is my right hon. Friend aware that rents, which were fixed when there was the control, are now going up? Under the system of regulation, the scarcity element appears to be ignored. Perhaps he will institute an inquiry into that.

Mr. Greenwood

I think that is rather a sweeping judgment, but that is a point which I have very much in mind.