§ 55. Mr. Marshasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister of Welsh Affairs by what percentage rents have increased since the introduction of the Rent Act, 1957.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI would ask the hon. Member to await publication of the report of a sample survey.
§ 57. Mr. A. Evansasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he has taken, in accordance with his statement on 26th July last, to deal with the swindlers in residential property in London.
§ Mr. H. BrookeOn 18th August I issued a circular to local authorities in the Greater London area, inviting them, among other things, to consider compulsory purchase where tenants were in danger of being made homeless under threat of exorbitant rents.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if, in view of recent rent increases to tenants of property which has become decontrolled, he will now reconsider his decision not to give a further period of protection to tenants now safeguarded by the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Act, but who will lose their security of tenure before August, 1961.
§ Mr. H. BrookeNo.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what has been the number of cases referred to him by hon. Members of demands for exorbitant rent from tenants in accommodation decontrolled by virtue of the Rent Act, 1957; and what action he has taken.
§ Mr. H. BrookeHon. Members have forwarded 106 complaints since the beginning of this year; but it would be wrong to assume that the rent demands complained of were necessarily exorbitant I have replied giving the advice appropriate to the particular case; and in addition I have advised all local authorities in the Greater London area of the action open to them to help tenants who are in special difficulty.