§ Sir F. Sandersonasked the Minister of Health whether, with a view to the prevention of extravagant rents being demanded, he will consider the setting up by local councils of housing committees in each town whose approval would be required as to the rent it is proposed to charge?
§ Mr. E. BrownI agree with my hon. Friend that there is great advantage in the appointment by a local authority of a small committee to keep close watch on the rent position in their district, to keep the public informed of the remedies available to them, and to take appropriate action when the charging of extortionate rents comes to light. I have recently issued a Circular on this matter, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. I am glad to know that this Circular has been given prominence in the Press, since it is important that tenants who have grounds for complaint should be aware that their best course is to bring the matter to the notice of the local authority. Without the co-operation of the tenants, local authorities cannot check rent profiteering. The reports which I receive regularly from local authorities do not suggest, however, that an amendment of the existing system of rent control, under which the decision in cases of dispute rests with the courts by the substitution of detailed control by local authorities, would be justified even if it were practicable. I shall, however, review the whole question in the light of the further reports which I shall receive from local authorities.