HC Deb 29 July 1952 vol 504 cc108-11W
92. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which rent tribunal offices he has decided to close and which others he is considering the possibility of closing in the near future; how many applications each of these tribunals has dealt with under the 1946 and 1949 Rent Acts, respectively; what have been the results of such applications; and what has been the percentage by which the rents charged have been reduced in the cases where a reduction has been made by the respective tribunals.

Mr. Marples

Following is the information:

Tribunal 1946 Act—First Time Cases 1946 Act—Reconsideration Cases 1949 Act—Section I Cases 1949 Act—Section II Cases
Rent Rent Rent Security of Tenure
Decided References Cases Dismissed Reduced Approved Increased Percentage Reduction Decided References Cases Dismissed Reduced Approved Increased Percentage Reduction Decided References Reduced Approved Increased Percentage Reduction Application Granted Refused
Closed on 1st July, 1952:
Blackpool 749 89 429 228 3 20 30 10 1 3 16 13 39 24 11 4 28 79 78 1
Bootle 198 31 144 23 0 31 8 1 0 0 7 — 87 77 10 0 29 45 26 19
Burnley 325 54 134 130 7 24 59 0 3 0 56 33 36 18 16 2 26 37 25 12
Chester 324 62 202 57 3 30 19 1 2 8 8 5 154 100 42 12 25 23 17 6
Rochdale 533 42 294 174 23 24 52 2 9 10 31 15 16 5 6 5 20 43 32 11
Salford 676 140 427 103 6 31 68 13 0 3 52 — 57 49 7 1 22.5 89 67 22
Stockport 333 51 236 46 0 35 1 2 1 0 0 27 56 51 4 1 33 53 48 5
St. Helens 205 57 106 35 7 32 5 2 0 1 2 — 16 7 7 2 39 64 49 15
To be closed on 1st September, 1952:
Farnborough 110 15 87 8 0 30 2 0 0 0 2 — 29 24 4 1 20 9 7 2
Slough 255 43 165 47 0 35 15 6 0 4 5 — 95 69 26 0 30 72 60 12
Guildford 228 21 173 34 0 32 11 0 1 2 8 15 111 89 19 3 23 46 37 9
To be closed on 1st October, 1952:
Dartford 626 91 399 130 6 30 65 6 13 35 11 6.5 52 38 9 5 34 371 285 86
Folkestone 303 18 239 45 1 28 23 0 3 0 20 27 134 108 17 9 17 24 20 4

96. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that a further appeal is not contemplated in the case of Rex v. St. Helens Rent Tribunal ex parte Pickavance; and what steps he proposes to take in order to give proper security of tenure to those tenants who have brought, or will bring, their cases for decision to rent tribunals so that they may not be prevented, through fear of ejection, from seeking relief in respect of the imposition on them of unreasonable rentals.

Mr. Marples

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes."

As regards the second part, insufficient time has elapsed since the judgment for an accurate assessment of its effect to be made. My right hon. Friend is keeping the matter under review.

98. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government bow many sessions were held, and where, by the West Cheshire Rent Tribunal during each month of 1952; whether he is aware that all the members of that tribunal visited each letting concerned and made a personal inventory and valuation prior to the hearing of the case; and what arrangements he is making for similar steps to be taken in respect of future hearings so that all the members of the tribunals may be in a position to make decisions from their personal knowledge of the circumstances of the case.

Mr. Marples

The answer to the first part of the Question is given below. The answer to the second part is "No"; and to the last part "None." The arrangements for inspections are entirely for the tribunal.

  • 5th January at Birkenhead, Chester, Wallasey (2), Tarvin.
  • 5th February, at Birkenhead, Chester, Wallasey (3).
  • 6th March, at Birkenhead (2), Chester (2), Wallasey, Warrington.
  • 9th April, at Birkenhead (3), Chester (2), Wallasey (3), Bebington.
  • 8th May, at Birkenhead, Chester (3), Wallasey, Bebington, Hooton, Warrington.
  • 6th June, at Birkenhead (2), Chester (3), Wallasey.