§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps to increase the maximum penalty for harassment by landlords, in order to make such penalties exceed the profit obtainable from vacant possession resulting from harassment.
§ Mr. MacCollThe Rent Act already gives magistrates scope to impose heavy punishment for such offences if they feel it is called for. I am sure that in considering how to deal with such cases, magistrates will ask themselves whether the penalty proposed will constitute a real deterrent. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor recently addressed the magistrates Association on this point and I am sending my hon. Friend an extract from his remarks.