§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the decision by Sheriff Penman at Stirling on 23 June in the case of Grahamv Sommerville, what plans he has to reform the law on landlord and tenant regarding the protection afforded by the Rent Acts to the Carbeth Hutters in respect of (a) security of tenure and (b) protection against uncontrolled rises in rent or other charges levied by the landlord. [48072]
§ Mr. Macdonald[holding answer 1 July 1998]: My right hon. Friend has noted with concern recent developments affecting the Carbeth Hutters. However, any proposals for new legislation would need to be considered carefully to ensure that the possible wider implications were fully addressed—including, for example, for holiday accommodation, for the management of camping and caravan sites, and for the application of existing legislation to privately rented houses occupied as a main residence.
The Government are therefore not at present in a position to amend the law on landlord and tenant in these respects, although it would of course be open to the Scottish Parliament to consider any proposals for new legislation in due course.