§ 34. Mr. Barnesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to bring to the attention of more tenants in areas where rented accommodation is in short supply their rights under the Rent Act, 1965.
§ Mr. MacCollMy right hon. Friend proposes to launch within the next few months a publicity campaign involving the use of posters on commercial sites and leaflets and he is considering the use of other publicity media.
§ Mr. BarnesI welcome any steps which my hon. Friend is able to take in this direction. Is he aware that the failure in some cases of local authorities and the police to take prompt action, where there is harassment after a successful application to the rent officer, is still proving a serious disincentive to some of the people who most need the protection of the Act?
§ Mr. MacCollI am always glad to look into complaints about failure to take proceedings in cases of harassment. I do not know of any bad cases, but I agree about the importance of making clear to tenants and landlords their rights to go to the rent fixing machinery.
§ Mr. Graham PageIf the rent officers are to be reduced by 60 during 1968, what is the point of this campaign?
§ Mr. MacCollThe point of this campaign is to direct it to places where there is the most risk of exploitation by landlords.