§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of public concern over the death of Miss May Brixler, a tenant of Ward Royal, Windsor, and of Her Majesty's Government's responsibility for publicising the effects of the Housing Finance Bill, if he will obtain information as to whether, when she was notified of the possibility of a rent increase on her new lease, she was also acquainted with her rights of an appeal to the rents scrutiny committee for assessment for a fair rental and to apply for a rent rebate under the National Rent Rebate Scheme.
§ Mr. AmeryI understand that the New Windsor Council wrote to all tenants of Ward Royal in March explaining how the various provisions of the Bill would affect their tenancies. The letter explained how the new fairrents would be assessed and that tenants would have the right to make representations about the authority's fair rent assessment. In particular it explained that the proposed national system of rent rebates would apply to Ward Royal tenants. Nevertheless this persona] tragedy underlines the importance of ensuring that tenants are made aware of their rights under the Bill and the need for opponents of it to avoid irresponsible or exaggerated criticism likely to arouse unnecessary anxiety.
In addition to the action already being taken by local authorities I intend to mount a national publicity campaign to publicise the arrangements for rent rebates and allowances when the Bill becomes law.