§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will 401W list the statutory powers that local authorities have over accommodation agencies operating within their boroughs.
§ Mr. ChannonSection 1 of the Accommodation Agencies Act 1953 makes it an offence to charge or to attempt to charge people seeking rented accommodation for the performance of certain services specified in the Act. Under the general powers given them by Section 276 of the Local Government Act 1933 local authorities can prosecute for offences where they consider prosecution expedient for the promotion or protection of the interests of inhabitants of their area.