HL Deb 22 June 1971 vol 320 cc863-4WA
LORD GARDINER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is holding up the final repeal of the Small Tenements Recovery Act 1838.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)

The Secretary of State for the Environment is empowered by Section 35 of the Rent Act 1965 to make an order to repeal the Small Tenements Recovery Act 1838. However, since most applications for possession made by local authorities under the Act of 1838 arise from non-payment of rent, my right honourable friend would like to defer the consideration of this for a further short period in the light of the provisions of the Attachment of Earnings Act 1971, and until the recommendations of the Payne Committee for an expedited procedure for the recovery of rent have been considered by the County Court Rules Committee.