§ Mr. Joseph Deanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department will be commissioning any research in connection with the current review of the Rent Act.
§ Mr. FreesonThe Department has already commissioned a national survey from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. This will indicate the nature and extent of the changes in tenure patterns that have taken place since the 1971 census and find out what attitudes towards private lettings are held by tenants and landlords currently in the private rented sector and by owner-occupiers who are not at present letting accommodation. The Department is also intending to commission at least one additional smaller-scale research project to investigate in detail the reasons behind changes in tenure observed in particular areas.