§ 76. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that many old-age pensioners and others in receipt of National Assistance grants are receiving notices from their landlords that they will be liable as tenants for interior decorations in future and that failure to carry out decorations will result in eviction; what draft regulations have currently been submitted to him under Section 6 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, to meet this need; and, in view of the fact that such persons cannot afford the expenses involved, if he will exercise his powers under Section 6 (3)of the Act to ensure that they may be reimbursed for the moneys that they will be compelled by law to spend on decorations.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government informs me that the only notice prescribed under the Rent Act as a result of which the tenant can be made responsible for internal decorations is one to be sent by the tenant himself if he objects to the landlord's assuming responsibility for internal decorations. The remainder of the hon. Member's Question does not therefore appear to arise.
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§ 80. Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will arrange for the area officers of the National Assistance Board to give guidance and help to old-age pensioners who seek advice regarding their position as tenants under the new Rent Act.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, but the Board's officers will of course be prepared to advise persons receiving National Assistance about the effect of rent increases on their assistance grants.