§ 80. Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to remove the hardships and injustices caused by the present system of controlled rents.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI will shortly be announcing Government policy towards rents in both the public and private sectors.
§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of cases heard at rent tribunals in the Greater London Area, during the years 1968–69; in how many cases the rent was increased; and in how many cases the rent was reduced.
§ Mr. AmeryRent tribunals in the Greater London area heard 6,334 cases in 1968, and 6,578 in 1969. Their decisions on first applications and on reconsideration of rents already registered are best shown separately. This is because tribunals cannot increase rents on first applications, save in special circumstances. The decisions were:
1968 1969 First applications Rent reduced 3,351 3,189 Rent approved 935 973 Case dismissed 1,621 1,813 Application for reconsideration Rent reduced 31 25 Rent increased 335 503 Rent confirmed or case dismissed 61 75
§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that rent officers who 71W have already inspected premises with a view to fixing a fair rent will not reinspect them three years later when both landlord and tenant are in agreement that the condition of the premises have not materially changed.
§ Mr. AmeryI would prefer to leave a question of this kind to the judgment and good sense of rent officers in the light of particular circumstances.