HC Deb 16 February 1972 vol 831 cc410-1
29. Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation requiring a landlord to provide a tenant of any periodic tenancy, not regulated by tenancy agreement or lease, with a rent book.

Mr. Channon

My right hon. Friend is considering the Francis Committee's recommendations on rent books which would give many more tenants access to further information. I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

Mr. Davis

The House will be gratified to know that the Department is considering the position. Does the hon. Gentleman realise that a very anomalous situation is being perpetuated whereby a weekly tenant is capable of ascertaining the identity of his landlord but other periodical tenants are not so entitled?

Mr. Channon

I note what the hon. Gentleman says. The Francis Committee made recommendations about the matter, and the Law Commission in its codification of the general law of landlord and tenant is also considering the question of tenants' access to information about their landlord.

Mr. Burden

Will my hon. Friend also take into consideration that, as many weekly tenancies are comparatively low-rate tenancies, by switching to monthly tenancies, which could be quite easy, even those with protection now would lose it?

Mr. Channon

The Question is about providing tenants with a rent book, but I note what my hon. Friend says in that context.