Mitchison71. Mr. asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in London contraventions of Sections 2 and 3 of the Landlord and Tenant (Rent Control) Act, 1949, as applied by Section 13 of the Rent Act, 1957, and of Section 15 of the last-mentioned Act are taking place; how many prosecutions have been instituted by the Metropolitan Police in respect of such offences; and whether he will undertake to consider any evidence submitted to him, and take steps to see that prosecutions follow in all appropriate cases and that the attention of the Metropolitan Police is called to their duties in the detection and prosecution of such offences.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Prentice) on 12th December, 1957. No proceedings have been instituted by the Metropolitan Police for such offences, but on one occasion assistance was given to a local authority.