HC Deb 31 October 1946 vol 428 cc136-7W
89. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Health whether steps are being taken to advise lessees who have referred or refer their contracts to tribunals under the provisions of the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, that their lessors are only entitled to possession at such times as are permitted by the terms of the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act and of the Rent Restrictions Acts where these apply.

Mr. Bevan

The security of tenure provided under the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act is set out in an explanatory memorandum on the Act which can be obtained on application at the offices of a rent tribunal or local authority. It is also referred to in stock letters and forms which have been prepared in my Department for the convenience of tribunals when communicating with lessees and lessors, for the purpose of obtaining information or conveying decisions. I am sending copies of these documents to my hon. Friend. No references is made in these documents to the provision as to security of tenure in the Rent Restrictions Acts, which are not affected by the decisions of rent tribunals.

91. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases of contracts for furnished lettings, referred under the provisions of the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946, to the tribunals in Leicester, the county of Leicester and the county of London, respectively, have those tribunals reduced the rents payable by the tenants; and by what approximate average percentages.

Mr. Bevan

One tribunal has been appointed to serve the city of Leicester and those local government districts in the county which have asked for the Act to be applied to their areas. This tribunal has decided three cases in all of which the rent has been reduced, the average reduction being 25 per cent.

Up to the end of September, tribunals acting for the county of London made 304 decisions, involving reductions of rent in 244 cases, the average reduction being approximately 30 per cent.