§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware of the distress caused to council house tenants, and especially the elderly, when they are given a notice to quit and deliver up their house when a local authority wishes to vary the rent; and if he will consider ways of changing the practice.
§ Mr. FreesonLocal authorities are not required to give notice to quit when proposing to vary the rent of a tenancy. Authorities were urged in a 1968 circular to give immediate effect to Section 12 of the Prices and Incomes Act 1968, which removed the previous requirement to serve notice to quit in respect of increases; individual authorities have discretion to decide what practice they follow in this matter. My hon. Friend and the public generally should be aware of the Secretary of State's order imposing a standstill on rent increases for publicly-or privately-owned dwellings.