HC Deb 17 December 1968 vol 775 cc1152-3
Mr. Murton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now take steps to bring into the system of fair rent regulation those controlled tenancies at present exempt.

Mr. K. Robinson

My right hon. Friend has no proposals in respect of controlled tenancies other than those set out in the White Paper, "Old Houses into New Homes".

Mr. Murton

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman has had statutory powers for the past three years and it is already eight months since the White Paper was issued, is it not a disgrace that all the problems and claims of small landlords have not been attended to before now?

Mr. Robinson

The hon. Member will know that legislation is likely to come before the House in this Session. It will be for Parliament ultimately to decide on the form of the legislation, but in framing it we are taking into account the views expressed on the White Paper proposals.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will my right hon. Friend note the eagerness of hon. Members opposite to increase rents as widely and generally as possible?

Mr. Robinson

I noted it, but I was not unduly surprised.

Mr. Graham Page

Will the right hon. Gentleman also take note that it is to stop slums that we require to increase rents? Is the Minister of State aware that his right hon. Friend, now Secretary of State for Social Services, in Committee on the Rent Act, 1965, gave an assurance that controlled tenancies would become regulated tenancies? Does he repudiate that assurance now?

Mr. Robinson

No. I should like to study the terms of the assurance before commenting upon it, but I certainly note the efforts of hon. Members opposite to put a respectable aura around their desire to help the landlords.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Will my right hon. Friend take note of the continued bleats we have; from the Opposition about the plight of private landlords? Will he consider legislation to give the right to private tenants to buy their property from the private landlord, which probably would solve this problem?

Mr, Robinson

I take note of the proposal made by my hon. Friend.