HC Deb 03 March 1970 vol 797 cc234-5
1. Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses are currently subject to rent control legislation; and what proportion these represent of all private rented houses and of the total housing stock, respectively.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Denis Howell)

The number of tenancies in England and Wales at December, 1969, subject to rent control is estimated at rather more than 1,300,000. On the basis of provisional estimates, this is about 40 per cent. of the total of all privately rented tenancies and less than 8 per cent. of the total housing stock.

Mr. Biffen

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that rent control bears a major responsibility for the continuing scandal of inadequate housing?

Hon. Members

Nonsense!

Mr. Biffen

Can the hon. Gentleman say what proposals he has to break the stranglehold of rent control by facilitating an extension of the fair rent provisions?

Mr. Howell

All the evidence coming to my Department is that rent control is absolutely essential in the interests of large numbers of people who would otherwise be unable to afford decent accommodation.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Is my hon. Friend aware that when the Tories lifted rent control in 1957 things got a hell of a lot worse? Will he see to it that he does not do anything to lift controls?

Mr. Howell

My hon. Friend is quite right. The first thing that this Government did was to repeal the notorious Brooke Rent Act, and the Opposition did not vote against its repeal.

Mr. Graham Page

Is that figure of 1,300,000 the controlled rents compared with the fair rents, or does this include regulated rents? If not, would the Minister break the figure down? Would he like to hazard a guess as to the national total by which controlled rents fell below fair rents and consequently the amount by which we are losing out on repair and maintenance of our national stock of houses?

Mr. Howell

I would require a lot of time to answer all the points in the hon. Gentleman's question. I think there are 1,200,000 rent-regulated tenancies included in the numbers I have given the House.