From a Parliamentary correspondent
Mr. Frank Allaun, speaking in the debate on the Goverment'!s new Rent Bill, said that he feared that unscrupulous landlords aided by skilful lawyers will drive a coach through Clause 22. This is the Clause which deals with the way a "fair rent” should be worked out, It says that the age, character, locality and state of repair of the house shall be taken into account. Ilr, Allaun pointed eut that landlords had already driven a wedge since December into the Protection from Eviction Bill.
He added that he hoped that members of the Government and Labour M.P.s will do everything to tighten up Clause 22 so that tenants are not made vulnerabk in the way that they might otherwise be. Mr. Allain, who is recognised as being an expert on housing and a champinn of tenant's rights, said that the 1957 Tory Rent act was known to millions as the "Landlords Charter", This Bill must become known as the "Tenants! charter,"
It is to be hoped that rank and file members of the Labour Party will back up the efforts of Mr. Allaun and others in this field. Local Labour Parties could do much by sponsoring tenants! associations which would counter the land— lords with lawyers of their own,