§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to prevent profiteering in letting housing accommodation in London and in the larger provincial cities; whether he is aware of the abnormal rents demanded for furnished lodgings and the difficulty of war widows and dependants of men in the Services in the provision of flats and even single rooms, in view of the decrease in war pensions owing to Income Tax deduction and with the increased cost of living?
§ Miss HorsbrughAs my hon. Friend is aware, the rents of unfurnished dwellings are strictly controlled by the Rent Restrictions Acts. As regards furnished lettings, my right hon. Friend has kept the position under constant review and he has1076W found only a small number of isolated instances of abnormal charges and these have come almost exclusively from the rural areas and the smaller towns. Local authorities have power to prosecute persons who charge exorbitant rents for furnished lettings, and my right hon. Friend has urged them to exercise this power without hesitation. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any instances which have come to his notice, I will gladly have inquiries made.