asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many gallons of sweets have been withdrawn from bond in the six months ended on 30th September; and how many gallons of sweets were in bond at that, or some other convenient, date compared with the same date in 1959.

I regret that information in respect of September, 1960, is not yet available. I am however circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of the figures which I have.

I thank my right hon. Friend for his Answer. I should like him to bear in mind that the duty levied on that portion of sweets represented by heavy gravity cider is a very heavy burden on that industry.

I will listen to any representations my hon. Friend has to make on that matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the increased grant to the Arts Council, no arrangements have been made to include Belfast in the Old Vic's forthcoming tour of the provinces.

The Arts Council has no responsibility in Northern Ireland, which is the concern of the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts, Northern Ireland.

Nevertheless, when the Arts Council is on the western side of the Irish Channel it might be as well if it were to get in touch with C.E.M.A. in Northern Ireland, as the Old Vic has not been in Northern Ireland for five years. Will my right hon. Friend pass this suggestion to the Arts Council?

I think that it would be a good idea for both bodies to get in touch with one another.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current value of the £ sterling, taking the value as 20 shillings in October, 1951.

Sixteen shillings and five pence in September, 1960.

What have all these Tory Governments done with the missing 3s. 7d.?

I am prepared to enter into controversy with the hon. Gentleman, particularly referring to the years 1946 to 1951, but where I think there is cause for satisfaction on both sides of the House is that since October, 1958, the fall has been only one penny.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal measures he is taking in order to assist the motor industry with its home sales pending a revival of export markets.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what approaches have been made to him by the motor-car industry for some alteration of hire-purchase restrictions.

The President of the Board of Trade and I have arranged to meet representatives of the motor industry tomorrow, when we shall discuss these matters.

I welcome the Chancellor's action, but may I ask whether he is aware that there is profound anxiety in Coventry because of the crisis in the industry which has resulted in one worker in seven being either unemployed, or on short time, or on strike against redundancy? Will he make a statement promptly on the question of Purchase Tax, otherwise the uncertainty will cause still further difficulties, and indeed unemployment, between now and the next budget?

I agree with the hon. Gentleman about the uncertainty. I think that all hon. Members are aware of the difficulties in the motor industry. They are not altogether due to circumstances under our control, but we will go into these matters tomorrow with the representatives.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the motorcar industry is one of the chief weapons for helping to reduce unemployment in Scotland? How does he propose to employ more men in that industry in Scotland, when in England men are being dismissed from the industry because there is no work for them?

The important thing as regards the motor industry and the national interest is that its exports should be maintained at a high level, and we will talk about that matter tomorrow.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the maintenance of full employment in many districts is dependent on the motor industry and its ancillary supplies? Will he do everything in his power to maintain reasonable stability and growth in that industry? Secondly, can he say whether the motor industry is showing any signs of having second thoughts about its big investment plans which affect a number of unemployment areas?

As regards the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I am not aware of any such second thoughts, but I propose to have full discussions with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and representatives of the motor industry tomorrow.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman impress on the President of the Board of Trade the points that I have made, because no one has given us greater assurances than has his right hon. Friend about the future—the happy future according to him—that awaits the west of Scotland due to the incursion of the motor car industry?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that both the President of the Board of Trade and I are well aware of the importance to the national economy of the motor industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the recommendations of a Working Party, set up by his predecessor in June, 1959, on the question of disposal of waste paper from Her Majesty's Government sources; and what has been done with the Government's confidential waste papers in the meantime.

No, Sir: it would not be in the public interest to do so. But I can tell my hon. Friend that I have accepted recommendations that in future all confidential waste paper shall be collected by official transport from the many points at which it arises, and either shredded or pulped under official supervision. Special steps were taken last year, with the co-operation of the trade, to guard against leakages while a fully comprehensive scheme was being worked out.

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that satisfactory Answer. Will he give an assurance that only firms which have facilities, or which are connected with mills with arrangements and facilities for shredding, will be asked to tender?

I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applicants possessing the necessary qualifications for admission to a British university have not been accepted for a university place this autumn.

This information is not available.

In view of the serious nature of the problem, could not the information be obtained so that the situation may be kept under review?

It is difficult to obtain the information. For one thing, a number of students make applications to a number of universities. Secondly, the term "necessary qualifications" has different interpretations in different places. But I am prepared to look at the matter to see whether further information can be given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the memorandum of the Association of University Teachers, entitled "Some problems of university development", a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland; and whether he proposes to encourage the University Grants Committee to develop rapidly new universities planned as a whole.

The question of further university expansion, additional to the £60 million building programme for 1960–63 which is already under way, is being considered. The memorandum referred to will be studied.

Will the Chancellor publish the Report which the University Grants Committee has recently sent him, together with his comments and those of his colleague, the Minister of Education?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer following the raising of interest rates on Public Works Loan Board loans to 6⅛ per cent., what will be the eventual total cost of a council house costing £1,600 to build after repayment over 60 years.

The total amount repayable on a loan of £1,600 over 60 years at 6⅛ per cent. is £6,042.

Is the Minister aware that it is this fantastic interest burden which has halved council house building in the last six years? As the Minister of Housing and Local Government admitted a few days ago that only councils would build houses to let, and as people cannot afford to buy their own houses, will the right hon. Gentleman sympathetically consider giving cheaper housing loans to help the people on the long waiting lists?

I am aware of the concern about this matter. The latest increase makes a difference of £111, but I think that the matter has to be considered in the whole context of investment in the public sector. I have said that I will lay a White Paper on that topic in the near future. I think that these matters might be better debated on that White Paper.

Does not this figure come as a shock even to the Chancellor of the Exchequer? In view of the high cost of local authority building and the effect on industrial investment, will not the right hon. and learned Gentleman recognise that his 6 per cent. Bank Rate is only piling up a lot of hot money which we do not want, and do not need, and cannot afford, and take some steps to deal with it?

Those statements are matters for debate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet reached any decision on the proposal to build a National Theatre in London.

No, Sir.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman appreciate that over a number of years Parliament has come to a decision about the building of a National Theatre, so has the London County Council and so has the Arts Council? What is it that now prevents him from making up his mind on this very essential matter?

I am aware that this matter has been outstanding for a long time. I have recently been examining it. I am to meet the joint council of the National Theatre some time in the next few weeks and discuss the matter with it. I certainly think that this is a matter upon which a decision should be given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that the cost of living does not go up as a result of higher prices for fuel and transport.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is now taking to reduce the cost of living and bring down prices.

Movements in the cost of living are caused by many factors, among which, of course, are the costs of fuel and transport.

The general objective of the Government's economic policy is to keep prices stable by maintaining a balance between demand and resources. But, even when such a balance is secured, stability of prices will still largely depend on the efforts of all concerned to ensure that the rate of increase in wages and salaries does not exceed the rate of increase in national productivity.

May I take it that the Answer which the Chancellor of the Exchequer has just given is, as far as my Question is concerned, precisely nil?

The answer to the hon. Gentleman's Question is that we are going to keep stability of prices. We have to equate demand and resources.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that his predecessor repeatedly urged that there should be a reduction in prices, but there has, in fact, been no such noticeable reduction? Is the Chancellor aware that the answer which he gave to the previous question completely abandoned what I thought was the Government's policy, that of bringing about a reduction in prices?

We have certainly not abandoned that, and I shall be very happy to see it come about. What we have done over the last two years has been to stabilise prices. I say frankly to the hon. Gentleman that what concerns me at the moment is whether we shall be able to maintain that stability. I think that that is the problem which confronts all of us in all quarters of the House.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say how an increase in the price of coal will tend to sell more of it?

That is a rather different issue.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why he continu- ally refers to wages and salaries without reference to profits and capital gains and so on? Can he further tell us what effect the recently announced increase by the Road Hauliers Association will have on fares and transport costs generally?

It certainly will not have a good effect. No increase in price will have a good effect. The real answer to the problem is to increase the total national product and keep productivity ahead of the increase. I would certainly include in any request for restraint both profits and prices.

Is it the Chancellor's point that if a man pledges himself to go forward he fulfils his pledge by proving that he is standing still?

It is very much better to stand still than to go backwards.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce some relaxation of credit restrictions in order to overcome the present diminution in business activity; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now reduce the Bank Rate.

I have no announcement to make to the House about relaxation of credit restrictions.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that we were told yesterday that Lanarkshire County Council had floated a loan on the London market at 6 per cent.? This is a loan of £5 million, redeemable in 1980. Does he realise that the £5 million will cost Lanarkshire £6 million in total, and £300,000 per year? Is he aware that this is bound to affect industrial activity due to the high rating position that will ensue in Lanarkshire—and also throughout Scotland, because it is common. In view of that and in order to help business activity, will he reconsider the question of reducing the Bank Rate or giving local authorities the advantage of the Public Works Loan Board facilities?

I think it is better that Lanarkshire should pay the market rate. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I certainly think so. I believe that if one starts to distort the economy by preferential systems one does not help Lanarkshire or anybody else. As to the question of the reduction in the Bank Rate, that is not usually dealt with by Question and Answer across the Floor of the House.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman think that the present extremely high Bank Rate is doing anything either to encourage exports or restrain imports, or to increase the national product, which he has just said he wants to do? If not, what is it achieving?

It is playing its part in helping to equate demand with resources. If there is excessive demand, there will be a shortage of goods, labour and material, and as soon as that happens, prices go up, and then one gets inflation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to introduce a new Pensions Increases Bill.

I have no intention at present to introduce such a Bill.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend kindly bear in mind that there are masses of people living on small fixed incomes who are just as entitled to an increase as those whom we hope will get an increase by means of the old-age pension? Is it not a fact that all these people were promised a share in the prosperity of the country at the time of the General Election?

Might I also ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether he has yet replied to my letter offering to come and see him, as I do not want at this very early stage after he has become Chancellor to have to go and camp outside the Treasury, because that might be rather embarrassing?

I am not sure about that.

With regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I am aware of the difficulties of those who live on small fixed incomes. With regard to my hon. Friend's letter, I should welcome very much a chance to have a thorough discussion of these matters with her.

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the difficulties of tenants of decontrolled properties whose three-year agreements with landlords expire this summer; and what action he proposes to take to protect them for a further period where landlords refuse to negotiate reasonable new agreements.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Islington, South-West (Mr. A. Evans) and the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) on 26th July.

is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, despite what he said then, there are already many decontrolled tenants with low incomes who are faced either with notice to quit or having to pay exorbitant rents, and that in the London area where many of them have to live and work there is no alternative accommodation available and they are desperately looking to him to relieve the acute anxiety under which they are living by taking emergency legislative action to protect them?

I am not going to reimpose control on the premises which have been out of rent control for the past three years, but I have during the Recess issued a circular to the local authorities in the London area giving certain guidance.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that neither that circular nor anything else that he has said gives any protection at all to these people? Is it not a plain fact that all we can say to people in this position is that under present legislation they are quite helpless in facing their landlords?

No, Sir. It is perfectly possible for tenants to negotiate with their landlords—

Come off it.

—and those who have sought to do so have in many cases been able to negotiate lower rents.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many communications he has received during the last three months from tenants in Greater London, or from hon. Members on their behalf, alleging excessive rent demands by landlords of decontrolled properties.

Hon. Members forwarded 67 complaints and tenants 202. It would be wrong to assume that the rent demands complained of were necessarily excessive.

In view of the fact that the great majority of tenants who are held to ransom by landlords take the view that they are helpless in the light of the Rent Act and consequently would not dream of writing to anyone, are not these figures indicative of a great measure of hardship in the London area and do not they show that the situation demands action and legislation from the right hon. Gentleman?

I would say, in all seriousness, that tenants who think they are being asked unreasonable rents should not, as a first course of action, write to a Member of Parliament or anyone else, but should start negotiating with their landlords. We have had dozens of cases in which it proved quite possible for landlord and tenant to come to an agreement once negotiations had been begun.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will appoint a special committee to investigate and report on the housing problem in London.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for a very large number of Londoners he has aggravated the housing problem into what is now a heartbreaking scandal? Why is he reluctant to discover and publish the real facts of the present very tragic situation, for it is a very tragic situation for very many people in London?

I am very anxious to handle these matters aright, but I cannot see that any purpose would be served by appointing a special committee at this stage.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that one of the pieces of advice that he gave to people in these difficulties was that they should move out of London, and that many of us feel that he could not have given that advice if he was aware of the circumstances of many of the tenants? Possibly a committee to make him better informed about the matter might be useful.

I think I am probably as fully informed as anybody is about the situation in London. It is perfectly true that some tenants are not in a position to move out of London and ought not to be pressed to do so. On the other hand, there are others who have been living in the centre of London at low rents who could have moved out and thus provided further accommodation in Central London for the people who are working there now but are having to travel long distances.

Does not this policy amount to the fact that people were told to move out of the centre of London, but they have to come back for work and now we get more congestion on the roads and more root causes of unhappiness? Why should not we have an inquiry and let the whole world know? Why should not we have an independent inquiry and find out what is the position?

Answer.

There is nothing further that an independent inquiry at this stage could reveal.

Why not?

Because all the facts that are relevant are sufficiently known already.

To whom?

These are policy questions which have to be decided.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. What can a back bench Member do in a case of this kind, when the Minister is refusing an inquiry and when he says that all the facts are known, and when in fact only recently the same Minister appealed to Members of Parliament to give him more information?

It would be necessary for me to have more information in order to discover how that is a point of order.

In view of the completely unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the total annual cost of subsidies paid to local authorities on houses purchased by them to facilitate derequisitioning; on how many houses these subsidies are being paid; and what is the average annual payment per house.

At 30th September, 1960, the total amount of contributions approved for dwellings bought or leased by local authorities to facilitate de-requisitioning was £982,000 per annum. These contributions relate to 15,330 dwellings, the average annual amount per dwelling being about £64.

In view of the fact that nearly £1 million is being contributed by the Government because of instructions given to local authorities to purchase houses, will the Minister consider making a similar contribution to assist local authorities to purchase houses under the terms of the recent circular in order to avoid evictions?

No, that is not considered necessary.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what information he has obtained on the operation of the Rent Act, 1957, by means of surveys carried out by, or on behalf of, his Department.

I have now received the report of a sample survey carried out by the Social Survey Unit of the Central Office of Information. I propose to publish it. Among the conclusions which it suggests are that the number of houses decontrolled by reason of rateable value has been smaller than was forecast, whereas the number decontrolled on vacant possession has been larger. It confirms the view that generally speaking the new rents charged after decontrol were moderate, and that sitting tenants were given favourable treatment.

Can the Minister please explain why it has taken a Question on the Order Paper to secure the publication of a report on which work was started three years ago?

The hon. Member seems to know a great deal about this, but the survey could not be completed until 1959, and I received the report only just before the Summer Recess.

In view of the confirmation in the report of what many of us know, that one of the most serious problems, creeping decontrol, is caused by vacant possession, does the Minister propose to do anything about this, as the number of houses under control is falling all the time and increasing the difficulties?

No, Sir. The Government do not propose to legislate to alter the provisions in the Rent Act about the decontrol of houses with vacant possession.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he has taken to deal with the practices of certain landlords and their agents regarding the eviction of tenants, as described to him by the hon. Member for Deptford.

The hon. Member will be aware that action has already been taken by the Registrar of Friendly Societies in the particular case to which he drew attention. For the protection of immigrants who may be unfamiliar with England I am seeking to arrange for an extension of the advice offered to them before they embark on house purchase.

Does not the Minister appreciate that it is comparatively easy to deal with tricksters of this kind but very difficult to deal with the hardship caused by the decontrol for which he is responsible; and that in fact all sorts of perfectly decent but quite simple people are being robbed of their rights, are being dispossessed or are being forced to pay exorbitant rents? Will not the right hon. Gentleman look at this situation, which needs his attention, particularly in London?

I am very anxious that local authorities and other bodies should give tenants the fullest information about the provisions of the Rent Act and I am not going back on decontrol.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the results of the consultations he has had with metropolitan boroughs, with a view to ensuring security of tenure to tenants who have been induced to move from one part of a house to another.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to statutory tenants. There have been no consultations directed specially to this point. Section 17 of the Rent Act, 1957, provides means of ensuring security where a statutory tenant previously occupied the accommodation taken over.

The Minister cannot have all the information. Does not he know that the metropolitan boroughs would be able to give him advice and statistical proof of the effect that all this is having? Why does not he want to get this very valuable experience?

I certainly have not pushed the metropolitan boroughs away from me. I received a deputation from five of them and I also received representations direct from the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee.

Is the Minister aware that what would happen in a case like this is that an elderly or infirm tenant occupying an upstairs part of the house might be persuaded, with the offer of slightly more attractive premises, or more convenient premises downstairs, to move the tenancy; and then would find out, when it was too late, that the premises had become decontrolled; and the tenant would be turned out or have the rent raised without a limit? That is the result of the Act for which the right hon. Gentleman is responsible. What is he Prepared to do about it?

I have repeatedly said that I want local authorities and all concerned to make the fullest information available about the provisions of the Rent Act.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many houses to let have been built by private builders in Stoke-on-Trent in 1958 and 1959.

My right hon. Friend's records do not enable him to give the information asked for. He is however aware that some private building to let has taken place in Stoke-on-Trent during the past two years.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these are so few that they can be counted on the fingers of one hand and that so long as his right hon. Friend takes up the attitude which he does and the Chancellor of the Exchequer maintains his attitude regarding high interest rates, the people of Stoke-on-Trent and other cities will be condemned to live in appalling conditions; because local authorities cannot build and private builders want to make the largest profits possible out of their own building?

My right hon. Friend would welcome more building to let, but political attacks on landlords do not exactly encourage this.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many local authorities have acted on the advice contained in paragraph 8 of Circular No. 45/60.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the number of applications submitted to his Department for compulsory purchase orders by councils in London and Middlesex, as a consequence of his suggestion to local authorities to make such applications where they consider landlords are asking unfair rent of their tenants.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what response he has had to his circular No. 45/60 of 18th August on the subject of the Rent Act, 1957, which was addressed to housing authorities in Greater London; and if he will make a statement.

Three metropolitan borough councils and one Middlesex borough council have taken action and, in all, have submitted five compulsory purchase orders, two of which have subsequently been withdrawn following further negotiations between the tenants and their landlords.

Does the Minister think that number is adequate in view of the large number of letters about specific cases sent by hon. Members on this side of the House? Can the Minister say how long it takes from the intimation of a compulsory purchase order until the confirmation? What advice does he give to local authorities in the meantime so far as tenants confronted with eviction are concerned?

I cannot say whether the number is adequate. The local authorities are free to submit all the compulsory purchase orders they think fit. There is a further Question on the Order Paper about the length of time.

That is the whole point. Local authorities are entirely free. Does the Minister believe that Tory borough councils in London and Middlesex will put compulsory purchase orders on private property when they have declared themselves against such a principle?

I am certainly aware that all Tory borough councils will do their duty in every circumstance.

Is not the Minister aware that many Tory borough councils have already expressed their intention to make no submissions to him for compulsory purchase orders and is it not perfectly clear that this circular is a useless bit of window dressing which does nothing to assist in the solution of the problem?

The circular has been very successful in its effect already. As I have said, in two cases agreement has been reached between tenant and landlord—[HON. MEMBERS: "TWO?"]—yes two out of five. No local authority has informed me that it does not intend to take any action in any circumstances.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, as a result of the circular he sent out, a number of Tory borough councils have intimated to landlords that they were considering making compulsory purchase orders? Further, is he aware that one London borough has in fact intimated to landlords that it proposed to do so and as a result one of the worst type of landlords in London has capitulated, in Chelsea, to the tenants?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend. I think the effect of this circular has been very salutary. It is most significant that, although the circular came out two months ago, only five compulsory purchase orders have so far been submitted.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will now amplify his statement contained in paragraph 7 of Circular 45/60; and what proportion of the burden of dealing with swindlers in the housing market is to be borne by local authorities.

The circular seems to have been well understood, and I have nothing to add to it. As for the burden, that depends upon the price local authorities have to pay if they buy property, and upon the rents they charge. No grant is payable.

Can the Minister amplify his phrase regarding swindlers? Does he class as swindlers people who buy property for the sole purpose of selling it again quickly at a large profit?

I do not think I can define the word "swindlers" any better than a dictionary can. What I am concerned about is enabling local authorities to take appropriate action, and that they have been doing in those cases where they thought fit. They have been perfectly free to act as they thought right.

Why has the Minister limited the dispatch of this circular to the Greater London area? Is he aware that in many other boroughs there is a need almost as great as that in London? Is he aware that in Slough there are between 400 and 500 cases in which rents have been increased by 100 per cent., including those of old-age pensioners? Will he take some action on behalf of those people as well as those in London?

It is not a question of whether rents have been increased, but of whether the landlord is asking extortionate rents. I addressed the circular to the London and Greater London local authorities because hardly any complaints had been received at that time from the rest of England and Wales, but I have said in public that if any other local authority finds cases in which it thinks it ought to submit compulsory purchase orders they will be carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what suspension of housing construction has occurred at Peterlee new town; why there is a gap between the existing building schemes and the provision of new contracts; and what action he intends to take to ensure that building proceeds in accordance with the plans of his Department.

As I think the right hon. Gentleman knows, there have been difficulties on current contracts, which are behind schedule. I understand, however, that work is continuing and that the Development Corporation has in hand further schemes for 700 houses on which a start can be made in the next few months.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree, in view of the information conveyed to him by myself and by others, that the time has come for a thorough investigation into this situation?

I am anxious about the situation and I am particularly anxious not to say anything today in answer to the right hon. Member's Question which might make things more difficult, but he can be sure that I have been watching the position very closely and shall continue to do so.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will give an assurance that there will be no further decontrol of rents during the present Parliament.

The assurance has already been given that the Government will take no further action to decontrol rents in this Parliament.

Is the Minister aware that, while the Rent Act remains un-amended, creeping decontrol is continuing every day? Is he aware from information sent to him that a great many landlords are seeking to abuse and evade the provisions of the Rent Act in order to obtain vacant possession, thus causing intolerable hardship to tenants? Will he therefore recognise the necessity for legislation to stop creeping decontrol?

What the hon. Member is now asking is that we should amend the Rent Act backwards. That I am not prepared to do, nor am I prepared to accept his statement that a great many landlords are abusing their powers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that in many cases upon the expiry of three-year leases many landlords are now issuing notices to quit without the option of renewal of the tenancy, in order to avoid the possibility of being subject to a compulsory purchase order in the event of an excessive rent being demanded; and whether he will extend the same protection to a new tenant as may be extended to an existing tenant by the compulsory purchase procedure.

If a tenant is threatened with homelessness as the result of an unreasonable refusal on the part of the landlord to consider a renewal of his tenancy agreement, I am prepared to consider a compulsory purchase order on the property from the local authority, but as a general rule I would not do so in the case of a new tenant who had entered into an agreement to pay the rent in question.

Having regard to the very great shortage of accommodation, is the right hon. Gentleman aware—I am sure he must be—of the very large number of new tenants forced to accept exorbitant terms because they cannot get a roof over their heads in any other way?

I do not think the survey which I shall publish will bear out the force of the last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, at any rate up to 1959, but in any case, where new agreements have recently been entered into between landlords and tenants, I am quite sure that it would not be right to interfere with their terms.

In relation to the last statement made by my right hon. Friend, may I ask whether he is circulating all local authorities to that effect, in view of the fact that they may be aware of what their powers are but do not feel called upon to use them in the terms he has announced?

I was not proposing to send a further circular to all local authorities. I think all local authorities throughout England and Wales will be aware of the first circular I sent to local authorities in London and Greater London and I am sure that these Questions and Answers in the House today will draw attention to the matter throughout England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in view of the rapidly increasing profits of property companies as a result of the Rent Act, 1957, he will consider introducing legislation to limit rents demanded from decontrolled tenants.

No, Sir.

Does not the Minister think that he is grossly neglecting his duty in so far as tenants are concerned? Is he aware that even in yesterday's Evening Standard there was an article headed

"London's Rents.

Can the crazy spiral go higher?"

Is he aware that in the constituency of my right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) a property company owning so-called working-class dwellings made a profit of only £1,200 before the Rent Act and this year it has declared a profit of £63,000? Is he not going to do something to stop this shameful exploitation of tenants?

I am perfectly well aware that before the Rent Act it was extremely difficult for many companies and many individuals to keep their property in repair and make any profit at all but, as I have repeatedly said today, the Government are not going to reimpose any form of rent control.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman remember that about half-an-hour ago the Chancellor of the Exchequer was talking about the need for restraint in claims for wages and salaries? Why is it that only people who get incomes from work and not from property are asked to exercise restraint?

In the vast majority of cases the landlords have been exercising restraint. The sample survey which I am proposing to publish will prove that beyond question. In those few cases where landlords have been asking extortionate rents I have indicated to the local authority the course it can follow.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the vast majority of people in the country will support him in the courageous and necessary action he has taken to bring this situation to an end so that houses are not under-occupied but are properly repaired and the proper distribution of population begins again?

I am grateful to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many landlords received improvement grants in 1959; how many of them were owner-occupiers; and how many owned more than one house.

My right hon. Friend is unable to provide the information asked for. Separate figures showing the numbers of improvement grants made to landlords and owner-occupiers respectively are not available before the beginning of this year.

Is the Minister aware that landlords' associations are writing to their members telling them of the things they can extract from the various Acts of Parliament passed, while owner-occupiers are unaware of them? Will he take steps to make known to owner-occupiers as well as to landlords all the benefits they can get from these Acts?

My right hon. Friend takes every opportunity to make these facts known, and the dramatically increasing trend of improvement grants shows that the information is being heeded.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what reply he has sent to the letter, sent to him in July by the Royal Fine Art Commission, concerning the proposed removal of the Doric Arch, Great Hall and Shareholders' Meeting Room at Euston Station; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has not yet replied to this letter because he is still considering the matter in consultation with the other Ministers concerned.

The Government have been considering this matter for nearly a year now. What is the point of having a Royal Fine Art Commission if the Government are going to disregard its recommendations which, in this case, are to keep that historic monument at Euston Station? Why waste the time of the distinguished gentlemen advising the Government if they take no notice?

I think the length of time shows what respect the Government are paying to the Royal Fine Art Commission and its recommendations.

Will the Minister consult particularly with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Works who now discovers, contrary to the reply which he gave in this House before the Recess, that he does possess powers to contribute towards the cost of replacing this arch?