§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the number of Armed Services personnel who own houses but let them, furnished or unfurnished, while they are serving abroad, if he will take steps to ensure that the recent freeze on rents does not cause these Service men to lose money on their lettings; and whether he will take steps, if necessary by legislation, to protect them against tenants who refuse to move at the end of their lease, when the owners need such houses for their own or their families' use.
§ Mr. KaufmanI have no reason to suppose that the freeze on rents will cause loss to Service men letting their homes while serving abroad. The Rent Act already enables owner-occupiers who during temporary absences let their homes, furnished or unfurnished, to do so subject to a right to a court order for possession when they or their families need to repossess the dwellings. In considering the measures necessary to give furnished tenants security of tenure I am not overlooking the importance of preserving the rights of temporarily absent owner-occupiers.