§ Mr. Ben Whitakerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government in how many instances local authorities have prosecuted under Section 30 of the Rent Act 1965; on how many occasions such prosecutions were successful; in how many instances was a sentence of imprisonment, and in how many a fine of over £50, imposed; and what is the total number of complaints of harassment received since 8th December, 1965.
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§ Mr. MacCollFrom 8th December, 1965 until 31st March, 1968 there had been 714 summonses for offences under Section 30 of the Rent Act, 1965; 4 offenders were imprisoned and fines were imposed in 408 cases, 60 of which exceeded £50.
Most local authorities keep no formal account of the number of complaints of harassment they receive, a number of which prove to be unfounded, but I have no reason to doubt that they pursue with energy and usually with success cases where they have grounds to think that an offence under Section 30(2) of the Act has been committed and there is sufficient proof to justify prosecution.