asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received about proposed increases in the rents charged by brewery companies to the tenants of licensed houses and if he will make a statement.

I have had a number of representations from tenants of public houses following the ending of the general standstill on business rents. In these cases the rent is not subject to determination under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. There is a separate Code of Practice on Tenants' Security drawn up by the Brewers Society following a report by the Monopolies Commission. I understand that this provides for disputes on rents to be referred to independent arbitration.