HC Deb 14 November 1973 vol 864 cc495-7
10. Mr. Lamborn

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to enable tenants of licensed premises to seek a legal limitation of the rent increases brewers are seeking to impose.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Reginald Eyre)

No, Sir; but I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs is in contact with all sections of the industry about the brewers' relationship with their tenant licensees.

Mr. Lamborn

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that licensees in my constituency have been advised by the brewers that it is their intention to impose increases of as much as 700 per cent.? Is not this a continuation of the policy of those now controlling the brewing industry to force out licensees and to put in managers? Is it not a fact that the licensee is perhaps the least protected person of any section in commerce and industry?

Mr. Eyre

I understand that my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs has under review with the parties concerned a proposed code of practice on tenant security for the tenants of licensed houses and has called for further details of reports of very steep increases in rents. I understand that good progress has been made in my right hon. and learned Friend's talks.

Mr. Cyril Smith

Does the hon. Gentleman understand, first, that this problem is not confined to any constituency but is common throughout the country? Will the hon. Gentleman take special note of the point made by the hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. Lamborn) that many of these rent increases are being used to force the landlords of public houses to become tenants? Will the hon. Gentleman also bear in mind the early day motion on the Order Paper on this matter, in the names of a number of hon. Members, including my own? Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, too—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Enough is enough.

Mr. Eyre

I shall ask my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs to note the points made by the hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Cyril Smith). He will appreciate that my right hon. and learned Friend is primarily responsible for those matters and it might be helpful if a Question were to be addressed to him.

Mr. William Price

In regard to the trend to management, does the hon. Gentleman not think that any alterations in the Landlord and Tenant Act will still mean that greedy brewers will kick out tenants when notices expire? Will he ask the Government to refer to the Director General of Fair Trading the whole question of what is going on in the licensed trade?

Mr. Eyre

I shall ask my right hon. and learned Friend to take note of the hon. Gentleman's points, but any discussion about possible amendment of the Landlord and Tenant Act would have to await the outcome of the discussions.