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Counter-Inflation Act 1973

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

SCHEDULES

Section 1.

SCHEDULE 1The Agencies

PART IAgencies' Functions Under Part II

1(1)Each Agency shall in accordance with this paragraph make reports to the Secretary of State on the way they have discharged their functions under Part II of this Act.

(2)Each report shall be submitted to the Secretary of State not later than thirty days after the end of the period covered by the report, and the Secretary of State shall lay the report before Parliament.

(3)The first two months during which Part II of this Act is in force shall be covered by a separate report, and separate reports shall be made covering each subsequent period of three months during which Part II of this Act is in force (on the first or any subsequent occasion); and a separate report shall be made covering any terminal period short of three months.

(4)This paragraph shall have effect in relation to the Price Commission as if references to the Secretary of State were references to the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, acting jointly.

PART IIAdvisory Role of the Agencies

References and instructions

2(1)The Minister may refer to the appropriate Agency any question relating to prices, charges, remuneration or company dividends, and the Agency shall examine the question and report to the Minister.

(2)The Minister may instruct the appropriate Agency to keep under continuous review any question concerning all or any of the matters mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above ; and—

(a)the Agency shall from time to time as they think fit, report to the Minister on the matters to which the instruction relates ;

(b)the Minister may at any time require the Agency to make to him a report on those matters, or on any question relating to them.

Supplemental provisions

3(1)For the purposes of paragraph 2 above " the appropriate Agency " means the Agency which in the opinion of the Minister is, in the circumstances of the case, the Agency which should consider the reference or, as the case may be, carry out the instruction.

(2)A question referred, or instruction given, to one of the Agencies under paragraph 2 above may be framed in any way whatsoever, and in particular may be concerned with a specified region or locality or with named persons.

(3)The Minister referring any question, or giving an instruction, to one of the Agencies under paragraph 2 above may at any time—

(a)withdraw the question or instruction, or

(b)vary it by referring a further question or, as the case may be, by giving a further instruction, under paragraph 2 above.

(4)In framing any report under paragraph 2 above the Agency concerned shall have regard to the need for excluding, so far as that is practicable, matter which relates to the private affairs of a person and the publication of which would or might in the opinion of the Agency prejudicially affect the interests of that person ; but for the purposes of the law relating to defamation, absolute privilege shall attach to any report made by either Agency.

PART IIIIncidental Provisions Having Effect in Relation to Each Agency

4The Agency shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal.

Appointment of members

5(1)The Secretary of State may appoint persons to the Agency either as full-time members or as part-time members and may appoint any person to be a part-time member of both Agencies.

(2)The Agency shall have a chairman and one or more, as the Secretary of State thinks fit, deputy chairman or deputy chairmen appointed by the Secretary of State from among the members of the Agency (including any part-time members).

Tenure of office, etc, of members

6(1)Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a member of the Agency shall hold and vacate office as such in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(2)A person shall not be appointed to the Agency for a term exceeding three years, but previous membership thereof shall not affect eligibility for re-appointment.

(3)The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the member concerned, vary the terms of appointment of any member of the Agency, so far as they relate to his service as a full-time or part-time member.

(4)A member of the Agency may at any time resign his membership by notice in writing addressed to the Secretary of State.

(5)The Secretary of State may, by notice in writing addressed to the member in question, terminate the appointment of any member of the Agency who is, in his opinion, unfit to continue in office or incapable of performing his duties as a member.

Tenure of office of chairman and deputies

7(1)Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, the chairman and any deputy chairman of the Agency shall hold and vacate office as such in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(2)The chairman or a deputy chairman of the Agency may at any time resign his office as such by notice in writing addressed to the Secretary of State.

(3)If the chairman or a deputy chairman of the Agency ceases to be a member of the Agency, he shall also cease to be chairman or, as the case may be, a deputy chairman.

Remuneration and expenses of members

8The Secretary of State shall, out of money provided by Parliament—

(a)pay to the members of the Agency such remuneration, and such travelling or other allowances as he may with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service determine, and

(b)in the case of any member of the Agency to whom he may, with the approval of the said Minister, determine that this paragraph applies, pay such pension, allowance or gratuity to or in respect of the member on his retirement or death, or make such payments towards the provision of such a pension, allowance or gratuity, as he may, with the like approval, determine ;

and if a person ceases to be a member of the Agency and it appears to the Secretary of State that there are special circumstances which make it right that that person should receive compensation he may, with the approval of the said Minister, pay to that person out of money provided by Parliament a sum of such amount as he may, with the like approval, determine.

Application of House of Commons Disqualification Act

9In Part II of Schedule 1 to the [1957 c. 20.] House of Commons Disqualification Act 1957 (bodies of which all members are disqualified under that Act), there shall (at the appropriate place in alphabetical order) be inserted the following entries:—

  • The Price Commission

  • The Pay Board;

and the like amendment shall be made in the Part substituted for the said Part II by Schedule 3 to that Act in its application to the Senate and House of Commons of Northern Ireland.

Officers and servants

10The Agency—

(a)shall have a secretary, to be appointed by them after consultation with the Secretary of State and with the consent of the Minister for the Civil Service, and

(b)may, after such consultation and with the consent of the said Minister, appoint such other officers and servants as they think fit.

11(1)The Agency shall pay to their officers and servants such remuneration, and such travelling and other allowances, as the Secretary of State may with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service determine.

(2)The Agency shall, in the case of such persons engaged in its business as may be determined by them with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service (not being members of the Agency), pay such pensions, allowances or gratuities to or in respect of them as may be so determined, make such payments towards the provision of such pensions, allowances or gratuities as may be so determined or provide and maintain such schemes (whether contributory or not) for the payment of such pensions, allowances or gratuities as may be so determined.

(3)Where a participant in such a scheme as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) above becomes a member of the Agency, he may be treated for the purposes of the scheme as if his service as a member of the Agency were service as a person engaged in their business otherwise than as such a member, and his rights under the scheme shall not be affected by paragraph 8(b) above.

General provisions with respect to the Agency's proceedings

12The validity of any proceedings of the Agency shall not be affected by any vacancy among the members of the Agency, or by any defect in the appointment of any such member.

13Subject to paragraph 18 below, the Agency may determine their own procedure, including the quorum necessary for their meetings.

Exercise of chairman's functions during absence, incapacity etc.

14(1)At any time when the chairman of the Agency is absent or otherwise incapable of acting, or there is a vacancy in the office of chairman—

(a)such one of the Agency's deputy chairmen as the Secretary of State may direct or, in default of any such direction, such one of them as the Agency may determine, or

(b)if there is then only one deputy chairman of the Agency, the deputy chairman,

may exercise any of the functions of chairman of the Agency.

(2)At any time when every person who is chairman or deputy chairman of the Agency is absent or otherwise incapable of acting, or there is no such person, such member of the Agency as the Secretary of State may direct or, in default of any such direction, such member of the Agency as the Agency may determine, may exercise any of the functions of chairman of the Agency.

Inquiries

15(1)The Agency may hold such inquiries as they consider necessary or desirable for the discharge of their functions under this Act; and the chairman of the Agency, or other member of the Agency presiding in his stead, may at any such inquiry direct that any person appearing as a witness be examined on oath, and administer an oath accordingly, or, instead of so directing, require the person examined to make and subscribe a declaration of the truth of the matter respecting which he is examined.

(2)If any person who is to give evidence at any such inquiry so requests at the hearing, or by a notice in writing served on the Agency's secretary before the date of the hearing, the Agency may direct that the public shall be excluded from the hearing while that person gives his evidence.

16(1)For the purposes of any inquiry under this Act, the chairman of the Agency or any other member of the Agency authorised by the chairman (whether generally or in connection with the particular inquiry) to exercise the powers conferred by this sub-paragraph, may by summons require any person to attend, at such time and place as is specified in the summons, to give evidence on any matter so specified, being a matter in question at the inquiry.

(2)No person shall be compelled for the purposes of any such inquiry to give any evidence which he could not be compelled to give in proceedings before the High Court.

(3)No person shall be required, in obedience to a summons under this paragraph, to go more than ten miles from his place of residence unless the necessary expenses of his attendance are paid or tendered to him.

(4)A person who refuses or wilfully neglects to attend in obedience to a summons issued under this paragraph or to give evidence as required by such a summons shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400.

(5)In the application of this paragraph to Scotland, for any reference to a summons there shall be substituted a reference to a notice in writing, and for the reference to the High Court there shall be substituted a reference to the Court of Session; and in the application of this paragraph to Northern Ireland, for the reference to the High Court there shall be substituted a reference to the High Court in Northern Ireland.

Publication of information and advice

17The Agency may arrange for the publication, in such form and in such manner as they may consider appropriate, of such information and advice with respect to the application of any provisions of the code, or the discharge of any of the Agency's functions, as may appear to them to be expedient.

Power of Secretary of State to give directions

18In determining any matter of procedure (including the quorum necessary for their meetings) and in exercising their powers under paragraph 17 above, the Agency shall act in accordance with any general directions which may from time to time be given with respect thereto by the Secretary of State.

Expenses of the Agency

19The expenses incurred by the Agency under paragraph 11 above and, to such amount as the Secretary of State may with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service determine, any other expenses of the Agency shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament.

Interpretation

20This Part of this Schedule shall have effect in relation to the Price Commission as if references to the Secretary of State were references to the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, acting jointly.

Section 5(4).

SCHEDULE 2Approvals and Consents

Procedure for approving proposed increases

1(1)The Minister may by order establish procedures by which, in cases prescribed by the order, either Agency will be required—

(a)to entertain proposals for increases of prices, charges or remuneration, and

(b)where satisfied that the increases ought to be allowed, to approve the proposals.

(2)An order under this paragraph—

(a)shall prescribe the time within which an Agency are to give their decision whether or not to approve the proposal, and

(b)may provide that, in circumstances specified in the order, the Agency shall be deemed to have given their approval for the purposes of any provision of this Schedule so specified if they have not duly notified the applicant of their decision within the time prescribed under paragraph (a) above, and

(c)may prescribe some earlier time limit by which the Agency are to be deemed to have given their approval if they have not given notice to the applicant that the application is still under consideration, and

(d)may make it a contravention of the order to implement the increase before the time limit under paragraph (a) above, or (where the application is then no longer under consideration) before such earlier time as is specified in the order.

(3)A proposal for an increase which an Agency are required to entertain under this Schedule shall be made to the Agency in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Agency.

2(1)Where an Agency approve proposals for an increase in accordance with an order under paragraph 1 above, the Agency shall not exercise their powers under Part II of this Act so as to restrict any price or charge, or any kind of remuneration, where the price or charge or remuneration is duly authorised by the approval.

(2)In exercising their powers under an order under paragraph 1 above, an Agency may frame an approval of proposals for an increase in such way as appears to them appropriate for the purpose of ensuring that the provisions of the code are implemented.

(3)In acting under sub-paragraph (2) above an Agency may—

(a)attach any conditions to an approval, and

(b)limit or qualify an approval to allow for any change in circumstances, and

(c)limit the duration of an approval.

(4)An order under paragraph 1 above which provides that an Agency shall be deemed to have given their approval in any circumstances may impose any such conditions, limitations or qualifications as might have been imposed by the Agency under the preceding provisions of this paragraph.

3Where notice of an increase is given under section 5 of this Act, an order under paragraph 1 above may treat that notice as an application for approval of the increase.

4(1)Any reference in this Act to an order under Part II of this Act shall include a reference to an order under paragraph 1 above.

(2)An order under paragraph 1 above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Consents by Agencies

5(1)There is no contravention of an order or notice under section 6 or section 7 of this Act if what has been done is authorised by the consent in writing of the Agency making or giving the order or notice.

(2)An application for consent under this paragraph shall be made to the Agency in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Agency.

Consents by the Minister

6(1)If, after consultation with the Agency, the Minister is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which justify an intervention by him in any case where the Agency have imposed a restriction under section 6 or section 7 of this Act, or are considering whether to do so, he may give his consent in writing to anything which is, or would be, subject to the restriction.

(2)Where the Minister gives his consent, the Agency shall not at any time exercise their powers under Part II of this Act so as to prevent the doing of anything covered by the consent, and if the Agency have already imposed a restriction, the consent shall be equivalent to consent granted by the Agency.

Terms of consents

7(1)Any power of granting a consent conferred by or under any provision of this Act includes a power to attach any conditions or limitations to the consent.

(2)The granting of a consent in exercise of a power conferred by or under any provision of this Act shall not affect liability for any offence committed before the date from which the consent is expressed to take effect or, if it is not expressed to take effect from a specified date, before the time when the consent is received by the person to whom it is given.

(3)Where an Agency, or a Minister, grant a consent under this Act, particulars of the consent shall be published in the Gazette, and in such other ways as may be prescribed.

Section 23.

SCHEDULE 3Supplemental Provisions

PART IOrders and Notices Under This Act

1(1)An order or notice under Part II of this Act may be framed in any way whatsoever, and may define any expression used in the provisions under which it is made or given (other than an expression defined by section 21(1) of this Act) both for the purposes of the order or notice, and for the purposes of the said provision as it applies in relation to the order or notice.

(2)An order or notice under Part II of this Act may prescribe any method of comparing prices, charges, rates of remuneration or rents.

(3)Any such order or notice concerning remuneration may take account of any terms or conditions of employment, and may determine, whether remuneration becoming payable after the period for which it is payable is to be taken into account in making any comparison.

(4)An order made by a Minister under Part II of this Act may contain any kind of supplemental or incidental provisions, including, in the case of an order concerning rents, provisions for the recovery of rent overpaid.

(5)Any provisions made in pursuance of sub-paragraph (4) above shall, if the order so provides, continue in force after Part II of this Act ceases to have effect.

(6)Any order or notice under any provision of Part II of this Act may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order or notice under the same provision.

(7)The variation or revocation of an order or notice under Part II of this Act shall not affect liability for any offence committed before the variation or revocation takes effect.

(8)An order made by a Minister under Part II of this Act shall be contained in a statutory instrument.

(9)An order made by an Agency under Part II of this Act shall be published in the Gazette, and in such other ways as may be prescribed.

(10)Where a notice is given by an Agency or a Minister under any of the following provisions of this Act, that is—

  • section 6(3),

  • section 7(3),

  • section 9(2),

  • section 10, or

  • section 12,

particulars of the notice shall be published in the Gazette, and in such other ways as may be prescribed.

Identification of two or more different persons

2(1)For the purposes of sections 5 to 7 of this Act, and of any provision made under those sections, the following shall be treated as one person, that is—

(a)all the persons who successively carry on any business ;

(b)the person having control of any company, and all the companies controlled by that person;

(c)where any companies are amalgamated or reconstructed, the companies wound up in the course of the amalgamation or reconstruction, and the companies resulting from the amalgamation or reconstruction.

(2)An order or notice under sections 5 to 7 of this Act may exclude any of the provisions of sub-paragraph (1) above as they apply to, or in relation to, the order or notice.

Validity of transactions

3(1)The Minister may by order made at any time during a period when Part II of this Act is in force prescribe the degree to which anything made illegal by any order or notice made or given under Part II during that period, or anything otherwise affected by any such provision, is to be valid or invalid either during that period or later.

(2)In the case of an order or notice restricting any price or charge, an order under this paragraph may make the excess of any price or charge over the restriction recoverable by the person paying the price or charge.

(3)Where in accordance with an order under this paragraph a contract to pay any remuneration remains invalid (in whole or in part) after the date when section 7 of this Act ceases to be in force, the order may further provide that the provisions of sections 17 and 18 of this Act (offences) shall continue to apply in relation to the implementation of the contract as if section 7 of this Act was still in force.

(4)An order made under this paragraph—

(a)may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order so made, and

(b)shall be contained in a statutory instrument.

Application of provisions of the [1889 c. 63.] Interpretation Act 1889

4On the expiration of Part II of this Act (whether on the first or any subsequent occasion), section 38(2) of the Interpretation Act 1889 (effect of repeals) shall apply as if Part II of this Act had been repealed by another Act.

Notices and orders

5(1)The Minister may by regulations prescribe the manner in which any notice is to be given under this Act, and the evidence which is to be sufficient evidence of its having been given, and of its contents and authenticity.

(2)The Minister may by regulations—

(a)prescribe the manner in which any order, notice or consent under this Act is to be published, or the manner in which particulars of any such order, notice or consent are to be published, and

(b)in the case of an order made under this Act by either Agency, prescribe the evidence which is to be sufficient evidence of its having been published, and of its contents and authenticity.

(3)In any proceedings against any person for an offence consisting of a contravention of an order made by either Agency under this Act, it shall be a defence to prove that the order had not been published at the date of the alleged contravention, unless it is proved that at that date reasonable steps had been taken for the purpose of bringing the purport of the order to the notice of the public, or of persons likely to be affected by it, or of the person charged.

(4)The power of making regulations under this paragraph shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Crown servants

6(1)Although this Act does not bind the Crown an order or notice may be made or given under section 7 of this Act, or under this Schedule, so as, without imposing any obligation on the Crown as an employer or otherwise, to apply (either expressly or impliedly) to persons employed by or under the Crown, and section 17(2) of this Act shall apply accordingly.

(2)For the purposes of this Act employment by any such body as is specified in Schedule 3 to the [1965 c. 62.] Redundancy Payments Act 1965 (national health service employers) and corresponding employments in Northern Ireland shall (if they would not otherwise be so regarded) be regarded as employment by or under the Crown.

(3)In the application of this paragraph to Northern Ireland references to the Crown include references to the Crown in right of the Government of Northern Ireland.

Consultations by Ministers before the passing of this Act

7A provision of this Act which imposes on a Minister a duty to consult any person shall not be taken as implying that further consultation is required by the provision where the Minister is satisfied that there was consultation before the passing of this Act which in his opinion was sufficient for the purpose.

PART IIOrders and Notices under the [1972 c. 74.] Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972

Orders and notices about prices, charges and remuneration

8(1)Any order or notice which was made or given in exercise of the powers in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section 2 of the Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 (whether or not also in exercise of other powers in that Act), and which was in force immediately before the relevant date, shall have effect as if it, with the provisions of section 2 which it applies, had been made or given under section 6 or, as the case may be, section 7 of this Act, and the powers of varying or revoking orders and notices under the said sections 6 and 7 may be exercised accordingly.

(2)In this paragraph " the relevant date " means—

(a)in relation to an order or notice made or given in exercise of the powers in the said paragraph (a) (prices and charges), 29th April 1973, and

(b)in relation to an order or notice made or given in exercise of the powers in the said paragraph (b) (remuneration), the date when Part II of this Act first comes into force.

Adaptations of the Temporary Provisions Act

9The references in section 3 of the said Act of 1972 to the time when section 2 of that Act is in force shall be taken as references to a period ending when Part II of this Act first comes into force.

10(1)The reference in paragraph 1(4) of the Schedule to the said Act of 1972 (supplemental and incidental provisions continuing in force after the time when section 2 of that Act ceases to have effect) to that time is a reference to the time when any of the provisions of that section have ceased to have effect, and the reference in paragraph 3 of that Schedule to the expiration of section 2 is a reference to the expiration of any provision of section 2.

(2)The reference in paragraph 4(2) of the said Schedule (adaptation of existing legislation about prices, charges, remuneration, dividends or rents) to the time when the said section 2 is in force shall include a reference to any time before 29th April 1973.

(3)An order under the said paragraph 4(2) may contain any kind of supplemental or incidental provisions, and any such supplemental or incidental provisions shall, if the order so provides, continue in force, or take effect, on or after 29th April 1973.

Section 23.

SCHEDULE 4Enforcement

Enforcement by local weights and measures authorities

1(1)Every local weights and measures authority may within their area enforce the provisions of—

(a)any order or notice under section 6 of this Act, and

(b)any order or notice under Part III of this Act.

(2)For the purpose of determining—

(a)whether to recommend that any such order or notice should be made or given, or

(b)whether the provisions of any such order or notice are being complied with,

a local weights and measures authority may make, or may authorise any of their officers to make on their behalf, any purchases of goods, and may authorise any of their officers to obtain any services.

(3)Nothing in this Schedule shall confer on any person authorised to enforce any provision of this Act mentioned in this Schedule any power to institute proceedings in Scotland for an offence.

(4)In acting under this paragraph an authority shall conform with such directions, if any, as the Minister may give, either generally to all authorities, or to that particular authority.

Power of Minister to designate officers for purposes of enforcement

2(1)The Minister may by order designate—

(a)any inspectors or chief inspectors appointed under the [1963 c. 31.] Weights and Measures Act 1963, or

(b)any officers of either Agency,

as persons to execute this Act in accordance with this paragraph by doing what may be done by his officers.

(2)Where an order is made under this paragraph designating any inspectors or chief inspectors, or any officers of either Agency, it shall be the duty of the local weights and measures authorities, or as the case may be of the Agency, to put the services of the persons so designated at the disposal of the Minister making the order.

(3)A person designated by an order under this paragraph shall act in accordance with directions given by the Minister in the same way as would one of his officers, but shall be deemed, while so acting, to continue to be employed by the authority or Agency putting his services at the disposal of the Minister.

(4)An order made under this paragraph—

(a)may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order so made, and

(b)shall be contained in a statutory instrument.

(5)Any reference in this Act to an officer, or a duly authorised officer, of the Minister shall include a reference to a person who is designated under this paragraph, and who is acting in accordance with directions given by the Minister and duly authorised for the purpose.

Powers of inspection and entry

3(1)A duly authorised officer of the Minister, or of a local weights and measures authority, may at all reasonable hours, and on production, if required, of his credentials, exercise the following powers for the purpose of determining whether the provisions of—

(a)any order or notice under section 6 of this Act, or

(b)any order or notice under Part III of this Act,

are being complied with.

(2)The said powers are—

(a)a power to inspect any goods and to enter any land or any premises, other than premises used only as a dwelling, and

(b)a power to require any person carrying on a business, or employed in connection with a business, to produce any documents relating to the business, and a power of making extracts from, or making copies of, the documents.

(3)A person who wilfully obstructs an officer acting under this paragraph shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400.

(4)A person who, with intent to deceive, produces, in compliance with a requirement under this paragraph, a document which to his knowledge is or may be misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400.

(5)In this paragraph " premises " includes any stall, vehicle or vessel.

Restriction on disclosure of information obtained under this Act

4(1)This paragraph applies to information given or supplied pursuant to Part V of this Act, or obtained in the course of exercising the powers conferred by paragraph 3 above.

(2)No such information shall be disclosed except—

(a)with the consent of the person by whom or on whose behalf the information was given or supplied, or as the case may be the owner of the goods or the occupier of the land or premises, or

(b)to members of either Agency, or to the officers or servants of either Agency, or

(c)to any Minister of the Crown, or an officer or servant appointed by, or person exercising, functions on behalf of, a Minister of the Crown, or

(d)in the case of information obtained by a person acting on behalf of a local weights and measures authority, to any officer of that authority, or

(e)with a view to the institution of, or otherwise for the purpose of, any criminal proceedings pursuant to or arising out of this Act, or the [1972 c. 74.] Counter-Inflation (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972.

(3)Sub-paragraph (2) above does not apply to information given or supplied to either Agency in proceedings to which the public are admitted, or contained in any report of either Agency.

(4)If a person contravenes the provisions of this paragraph he shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £400, and

(b)on conviction on indictment to a fine.

Expenses to be treated as special expenses of county councils

5(1)In respect of any period during which a district council in Wales are the local weights and measures authority for their district, any expenditure incurred in enforcing the provisions of Part II or Part III of this Act by the council of the county in which that district is situate shall be treated as incurred for special expenses of the county council, and that district shall not be chargeable therewith.

(2)Before the coming into force of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 sub-paragraph (1) above shall not apply, but in respect of any period during which the council of any non-county borough or urban or rural district in England or Wales are acting as a local weights and measures authority, or are a party to any agreement made or deemed to have been made under section 37 of the [1963 c. 31.] Weights and Measures Act 1963, any expenditure incurred in enforcing the provisions of Part II or Part III of this Act by the council of the county in which that borough or district is situated shall be treated as incurred for special county purposes, and that borough or district shall not be chargeable therewith.

Section 14.

SCHEDULE 5Rent Restriction

Special rent limit for existing tenancies brought within the Rent Act

1(1)This paragraph applies to a regulated tenancy—

(a)which was granted before 8th March 1973, and

(b)which would not have been a regulated tenancy but for the provisions of subsection (1) of the principal section.

(2)Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, the recoverable rent for any contractual period of a tenancy to which this paragraph applies shall not exceed the limit specified in paragraph 2 below, and the amount of any excess shall, notwithstanding anything in any agreement, be irrecoverable from the tenant.

(3)Where a rent for the dwelling-house is registered under Part IV of the [1968 c. 23.] Rent Act 1968 which is less than the limit specified in paragraph 2 below, neither section 20(2) (registered rent as limit for contractual periods) nor section 22(2) (corresponding provision for statutory periods) of that Act shall apply to a tenancy to which this paragraph applies.

(4)Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) above shall cease to apply if the landlord and the tenant so provide by an agreement conforming with the requirements of section 43(3) of the [1972 c. 47.] Housing Finance Act 1972 (agreement to explain the nature of the tenant's security of tenure).

(5)Sub-paragraph (2) above shall not apply where a rent for the dwelling-house is registered under Part IV of the Rent Act 1968 which is not less than the limit specified in paragraph 2 below.

(6)Section 33 of the Rent Act 1968 (enforcement provisions) shall apply as if any amount made irrecoverable by this paragraph were irrecoverable by virtue of Part III of that Act, and section 36 of that Act (adjustment for differences in lengths of rental periods) shall apply for the purposes of this paragraph.

2(1)Where at the date of the passing of this Act Article 10 of the [S.I. 1972/1851.] Counter-Inflation (Rents) (England and Wales) Order 1972 applied to the rent under the tenancy (to which paragraph 1 applies), the said limit is the rent payable under the tenancy as limited by the said Article 10 immediately before that date.

(2)In any other case the said limit is the rent payable under the terms of the tenancy (to which paragraph 1 applies) at the passing of this Act.

Adjustment for repairs, services or rates

3(1)This paragraph applies to a contractual period the rent for which is subject to paragraph 1(2) of this Schedule.

(2)In this paragraph "the previous terms" means the terms of the tenancy (to which paragraph 1 applies) as at the passing of this Act.

(3)Where under the terms of the tenancy there is with respect to—

(a)the responsibility for any repairs, or

(b)the provision of services by the landlord or any superior landlord, or

(c)the use of furniture by the tenant,

any difference compared with the previous terms, such as to affect the amount of the rent which it is reasonable to charge, the limit in paragraph 2 above shall be increased or decreased by an appropriate amount.

(4)Where for the contractual period there is a difference between the amount (if any) of the rates borne by the landlord or a superior landlord in respect of the dwelling-house and the amount (if any) so borne during the first rental period for which the previous terms were agreed, the limit in paragraph 2 above shall be increased or decreased by the difference.

(5)Where for the contractual period there is an increase in the cost of the provision of the services (if any) provided for the tenant by the landlord or a superior landlord compared with that cost at the time when the previous terms were agreed, such as to affect the amount of the rent which it is reasonable to charge, the limit in paragraph 2 above shall be increased by an appropriate amount.

(6)Where the previous terms provide for a variation of the rent in any of the circumstances mentioned in this paragraph, the limit shall not be further varied under this paragraph by reason of the same circumstances.

(7)Any question whether, or by what amount, the limit is increased or decreased by sub-paragraph (3) or sub-paragraph (5) of this paragraph shall be determined by the county court, and any such determination—

(a)may be made so as to relate to past rental periods, and

(b)shall have effect with respect to rental periods subsequent to the periods to which it relates until revoked or varied by a subsequent determination.

Statutory period of tenancy: no adjustment for improvements

4Section 25 of the [1968 c. 23.] Rent Act 1968 (increase for improvements) shall not apply to a tenancy to which paragraph 1 of this Schedule applies.

Premiums

5(1)This paragraph has effect where a premium was lawfully required and paid on the grant of a tenancy to which paragraph 1 of this Schedule applies.

(2)Nc4hing in section 86 of the Rent Act 1968 (prohibition of premiums on assignment of protected tenancies) shall prevent any person from requiring or receiving, on an assignment of the tenancy, the fraction of the premium specified below (without prejudice, however, to his requiring or receiving a greater sum in a case where he may lawfully do so under Schedule 11 to the Rent Act 1968).

(3)If there was more than one premium, sub-paragraph (2) above applies to the last of them.

(4)The said fraction is where—

(a)X is the residue of the term of the tenancy at the date of the assignment, and

(b)Y is the term for which the tenancy was granted.

(5)Sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph shall apply where a tenancy has been assigned as it applies where a tenancy has been granted, and then Y in the said fraction shall be the residue, at the date of that assignment, of the term for which the tenancy was granted.

(6)In this and the next following paragraph " grant" includes continuance and renewal.

6(1)Where the tenancy to which paragraph 5(1) above applies was granted on the surrender of a previous tenancy, and a premium had been lawfully required and paid on the grant, or an assignment, of the previous tenancy, the surrender value of the previous tenancy shall be treated, for the purposes of paragraph 5 above as a premium, or as the case may be as part of the premium, paid on the said grant of the tenancy.

(2)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) above the surrender value of the previous tenancy shall be taken to be the amount which—

(a)if the previous tenancy had been assigned instead of being surrendered, and

(b)if this paragraph had applied to it,

would have been the amount which could have been required and received on the assignment in pursuance of paragraph 5 above and this paragraph.

(3)In determining for the purposes of paragraph 5 above, or o-f this paragraph, the amount which may be or could have been required and received on the assignment of a tenancy terminable, before the end of the term for which it was granted, by a notice to the tenant, that term shall be taken to be a term expiring at the earliest date on which such a notice, given after the date of the assignment, would have been capable of taking effect.

Tenancies ending before passing of this Act

7(1)This paragraph applies where the tenancy of a dwelling-house has come to an end at a time before the passing of this Act, and the tenancy would have been a regulated tenancy if the principal section had been in force at that time.

(2)No order for possession of the dwelling-house shall be made which would not be made if the principal section had been in force at the said time.

(3)Where a court has made an order for possession of the dwelling-house before the passing of this Act, but the order has not been executed, the court, if of opinion that the order would not have been made if this Act had come into force before the tenancy came to an end may, on the application of the person against whom it was made, rescind or vary it in such manner as the court thinks fit for the purpose of giving effect to the principal section.

(4)If the tenant under the tenancy which has come to an end duly retains possession of the dwelling-house after the passing of this Act (without any order for possession having been made, or after the rescission of such an order) he shall be deemed to do so under a statutory tenancy arising on the termination of the tenancy which has come to an end, and, subject to sub-paragraph (7) below, the terms of that tenancy (including the rent) shall be deemed to have been the same as those of the tenancy which has come to an end.

(5)Where Article 10 of the [S.I. 1972/1851.] Counter-Inflation (Rents) (England and Wales) Order 1972 applied to the rent under the tenancy, the rent under the tenancy imposed by sub-paragraph (4) above shall be the rent as limited by the said Article 10.

(6)Paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Schedule shall not apply to a statutory tenancy arising under sub-paragraph (4) above.

(7)The High Court or the county court may by order vary all or any of the terms of the tenancy imposed by sub-paragraph (4) above in any way appearing to the court to be just and equitable (and whether or not in a way authorised by the provisions of sections 23 and 24 of the [1968 c. 23.] Rent Act 1968).

(8)If at the passing of this Act the dwelling-house is occupied by a person who would, if the tenancy had been a regulated tenancy have been the " first successor " within the meaning of paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the [1968 c. 23.] Rent Act 1968—

(a)an application under sub-paragraph (3) above may be made by that person, and

(b)sub-paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) above shall apply where that person retains possession as they apply where the tenant retains possession.

Mortgages

8At the end of section 93 of the Rent Act 1968 (mortgages to which Part VIII of that Act applies) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

(5)If at the date of the passing of the Counter-Inflation Act 1973 land consisting of or including a dwelling-house was subject to a tenancy which becomes a regulated tenancy by virtue of section 14 of that Act, then in relation to that dwelling-house (and any land including that dwelling-house)—

(a)sections 94 and 95 below shall have effect as if for the reference in subsection (1)(a) above to 8th December 1965 there were substituted a reference to the date of the passing of the said Act;

(b)subsection (2)(a) of the said section 94 shall have effect as if for the reference to the appropriate day there were substituted a reference to 7th March 1973, and

(c)subsection (1)(b) of the said section 95 shall not apply.

Grounds for possession of dwelling-house

9If at the date of the passing of this Act a dwelling-house was subject to a tenancy which becomes a regulated tenancy by virtue of the principal section, then, in relation to that tenancy—

(a)Case 5, paragraph (b) of Case 10, and paragraph 2(a) of Part III, of Schedule 3 to the Rent Act 1968 shall have effect as if for the references in those provisions to 8th December 1965 there were substituted references to the date of the passing of this Act,

(b)Case 8 of the said Schedule 3 shall have effect as if for the reference to 23rd March 1965 there were substituted a reference to 8th March 1973, and

(c)the said paragraph 2(a) of Part III of Schedule 3 shall have effect as if for 7th June 1966 there were substituted a reference to the expiration of a period of six months beginning with the passing of this Act.

[1951 c. 65.] Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests Act) 1951

10In section 16(2)(a) of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951 (protection of premises by extension of the Rent Acts) the words "on the appropriate day " shall cease to have effect, and for the words " in subsection (1)(a) of section 1" there shall be substituted the words " in paragraphs (a), (aa) or (aaa) of subsection (1) of section 1 ".

Tenancies at a low rent

11(1)At the end of section 2(1) of the [1968 c. 23.] Rent Act 1968 there shall be inserted the following proviso :—

Provided that paragraph (a) of this subsection shall apply in relation to a dwelling-house—

(i)in relation to which the appropriate day fell before the passing of the Counter-Inflation Act 1973, and

(ii)which had on the said appropriate day a rateable value exceeding, if it is in Greater London, £400 or, if it is elsewhere, £200,

as if for the reference in the said paragraph (a) to the appropriate day there were substituted a reference to the date of passing of the Counter-Inflation Act 1973..

(2)In section 2(5) of the [1954 c. 56.] Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (as originally enacted) for paragraphs (a) and (b) there shall be substituted the words " for the purposes of this subsection the rateable value of the property is that which would be taken as its rateable value for the purposes of section 2(1)(a) of the Rent Act 1968. "

Construction

12In this Schedule—

(a)" rates " includes water rates and charges,

(b)other expressions shall be construed as in the Rent Act 1968.

Section 23.

SCHEDULE 6Repeals

ChapterShort TitleExtent of Repeal
14 & 15 Geo. 6. c. 65.The Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests Act 1951In section 16(2)(a) the words " on the appropriate day ".
5 & 6 Eliz. 2. c. 20.The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1957.In Part II of Schedules 1 and 3, the entry relating to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
1966 c. 33.The Prices and Incomes Act 1966.The whole Act, so far as unrepealed.
1967 c. 53.The Prices and Incomes Act 1967.The whole Act, except sections 4(2) and 5.
1967 c. 88.The Leasehold Reform Act 1967.Section 39(1)(b).
1968 c. 23.The Rent Act 1968.In Schedule 15, in the paragraph amending section 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 the words (amending section 2(5)) from " and in " to the end of the paragraph.
1968 c. 42.The Prices and Incomes Act 1968.The whole Act, except section 12.
1968 c. 73.The Transport Act 1968.Section 30(9).
1972 c. 47.The Housing Finance Act 1972.In section 89, in sub-section (1) the words " (6) and ", in subsection (2) the words " (6) and" and " 1 and", and subsection (6).
Statutory Instrument
S.I. 1972/1851The Counter-Inflation (Rents) (England and Wales) Order 1972.In article 9(5) the words from " and this paragraph " to the end of article 9(5).
Article 10, except as respects rent for a period before the passing of this Act.

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