§ 10. Mr. Probertasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take further action to enfranchise those leaseholders whose tenancies terminated after the 8th December, 1964, and before the passing of the Leasehold Reform Act, 1967.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesNo, Sir. This would require fresh legislation, and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to him by my hon. Friend, the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government on 25th January,1968 —[Vol. 757; c.178]
§ 10. Mr. ProbertThat was a very bureaucratic reply. Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many elderly people who are now becoming disfranchised and who are apt not to take notice of official notices in the Press? Will he consult further with the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what action should be taken in this respect?
§ Mr. HughesI remind my hon. Friend and other hon. Members that very wide publicity coverage was given to this matter in the weeks before 27th January. As I have said, any change now would require fresh legislation. In the circumstances, in view of the time which was allowed and the publicity which was given, I would not regard that as reasonable at this stage.
§ Mr. Alec JonesIn view of the widespread concern felt by elderly people on this issue in South Wales, will my right hon. Friend give a categorical assurance that those people who have not exercised their rights under the Leasehold Reform Act are still fully protected in their right to occupy and own their homes under the 1954 Act?
§ Mr. HughesYes, provided that the requirements of the law have been fulfilled. But my hon. Friend must give me firmer evidence on that question. He has asked for something which is very difficult, as hon. Members on both sides know, but I shall be glad to look at the extent of evidence which exists on the point.