asked the Minister of Health whether he will take powers to publish a schedule defining the maximum prices payable in London for furnished and unfurnished flats according to accommodation?

The Rent Restrictions Acts apply to the great majority of dwelling houses in the country, including London, and fix for each dwelling house let unfurnished the maximum or standard rent which the landlord can recover. The landlord is required to state this rent on application by the tenant, and in cases of doubt it can be settled by the county court. Furnished lettings are not subject to standard rents, but the Acts contain provisions enabling action to be taken in respect of excessive rents being charged. I have no power to fix maximum prices, and in any case the preparation of a schedule such as that to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers would be impracticable in view of the specialised staff which it would be necessary to employ.

Is the Minister aware that complaints have been made publicly about the fantastic prices for furnished flats in London, by our American friends? In the interests of good will and understanding, will he take some steps, even by legislation, to put an end to this racket?

I have seen one or two complaints from various parts of London, but the issues are not so simple to deal with as has been stated by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Is the Minister aware that this is an appalling racket and is causing great hardship to people who, for business reasons, have to live in London and to civil servants who have had to come back to London?

Perhaps my right hon. Friend will await the return I am about to make available to Parliament from 1,500 local authorities, in which he will find that the evidence is not quite what has been stated.

Will the Minister get information from sample blocks of flats as to the rents charged before the war and the rents being charged now?

I shall be glad to look into any cases submitted to me.