HL Deb 17 June 1952 vol 177 cc193-4

2.37 p.m.

VISCOUNT BUCKMASTER

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the acute housing shortage and the fact that existing legislation makes it economically impossible for many landlords to keep their property in repair, they will at an early date undertake a revision of the Rent Restrictions Acts.]

LORD LLOYD

My Lords, the Government have under consideration the question of the revision of the Rent Restrictions Acts, but they are at present unable to give any undertaking as to when legislation will be introduced.

VISCOUNT BUCKMASTER

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, I should like to ask, arising from it, whether Her Majesty's Government are fully aware of the danger, if the value of the pound falls further, of the cost of repairs becoming even more prohibitive and of a situation being reached in which relief may be almost impossible.

LORD LLOYD

My Lords, this is a very complicated question. The Government are aware of that: fact and of the many considerations which apply to it; and these are being considered at the present time.