§ Mr. Silvermanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his attention has been drawn to suggestions that have been made for the creation of short fixed-term leases of dwellings for three, five, or seven years, terminable at the end of that time; whether he regards such suggestions as consistent with the Government's policies for private lettings: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonI see no way in which such leases could operate in the rented housing market without destroying a basic principle of the Rent Acts: that tenants of private landlords should have security of tenure. This principle now applies, under the Rent Act 1974, to furnished as well as to unfurnished lettings, and it will be firmly maintained. More practicable ways of getting empty and under-used dwellings into proper use will be found—often in conjunction with local authorities or housing associations—by following through measures of the kind I outlined in my answer on 25th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mrs. Jeger).—[Vol. 887, c.69–70.]