§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has any plans to introduce legislation on tied cottages owned by the National Coal Board similar in scope of the Rent (Agriculture) Bill.
§ Mr. BennI have been asked to reply.
No. Occupants of houses owned by the National Coal Board have security of tenure so long as they remain in the industry, and this applies also when they retire, and to their widows. Moreover, the National Union of Mineworkers has an effective voice in the allocation of houses. In these circumstances, I do not consider that legislation on the subject is necessary.