§ Sir H. Linsteadasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to bring the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Bill to the notice of those who may be concerned; and whether he will make a statement on its effects.
§ Mr. H. BrookeIt is hoped that the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Bill will receive Royal Assent tomorrow, 1st August. A leaflet explaining the main provisions of this new Measure will be available next week, 191W free of charge, to anyone who wants it. Copies may be obtained from local authorities and citizens advice bureaux and, on written application, from my Department. I am also sending a circular to local authorities asking them to use their powers to give information about this Measure on request. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, is taking similar action in Scotland.
As to the second part of the Question, very many new agreements have already been made between landlords and tenants of decontrolled property, and there are still over two months before any notice to quit such property can take effect. In all cases where a notice has been served, both landlord and tenant should study the leaflet carefully, to see how they will be affected and to consider in the light of it whether they cannot now make a further effort to reach agreement on a new tenancy. It is hoped that this may lead to agreement on a new tenancy for at least three years. If that proves impracticable, in most cases it should be possible at least to agree on a tenancy for a shorter period, so as to give the tenant the time that he needs to find other accommodation, without reference to the Courts.
If full advantage is taken of all these opportunities, the number of cases to be heard by the Courts will be relatively very small. The new Measure will then have served its purpose by enabling the transition to decontrol to take place while averting the possibility of serious hardship.