HC Deb 26 June 1973 vol 858 cc1319-20
Q5. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Prime Minister if he has any plans to visit the London borough of Wandsworth.

The Prime Minister

I have at present no plans to do so, Sir.

Mr. Jenkins

If the Prime Minister changes his mind and makes plans to visit Wandsworth, may I ask him whether he is aware that he could be taken, in many parts of the borough and particularly Putney, to flats where the rents have been quadrupled in the last few years? Since the Prime Minister no longer shares the laissez-faire political philosophy of his right hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell), is it not possible to make a change? Could he not take effective action to protect people in these flats, many of whom are his own supporters?

The Prime Minister

Since the rents have been raised in the last few years, it must have been under the Labour Government just as much as under this one. If the hon. Gentleman is suggesting that there are owners or landlords who are breaking the laws of both this and the former Government, he has a duty to report this so that action can be taken.