asked the Minister of Health in how many cases of contracts for furnished lettings reported under the provisions of the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946, to the tribunals in Leicester and Leicestershire, respectively, have those tribunals reduced the rents payable by the tenants; by what approximate percentages; and in how many of these cases were the dwellinghouses concerned within the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act, 1939, being dwelling-houses which were then let at the first rental which has been charged for them.

Up to 31st May, the Tribunal for the city and county of Leicester has reduced rents in 69 cases in the city by an average of 29 per cent. and in three cases in the county by an average of 14 per cent. I regret that the informa- tion asked for in the third part of the Question is not readily available.

Will my right hon. Friend, in view of the case which is before the courts at present, try to ascertain from the various tribunals how many houses in Leicester and Leicestershire and otherwise come within the last paragraph of the Question I asked, particularly in view of the far-reaching effect an adverse decision may have upon the position?

I am reluctant to ask for further statistics from these tribunals. They have long lists of applicants waiting to have their cases tried, and the officials are overworked. Hon. Members must realise that, if they press the Government to give all kinds of detailed information, it must add to the size of the Civil Service.