Winslow J:

The plaintiffs claim possession of the land and premises known as No. 3 Branksome Road, Singapore of which they are now the landlords and the defendant the tenant. The said tenancy was determined by a notice to quit dated 29 October 1965. The plaintiffs' contention is that the defendant is not entitled to claim protection under the Control of Rent Ordinance (Cap. 242) on the ground that the defendant or any other person or persons occupying the premises under him has or have been guilty of using or permitting the use of the said premises for illegal or immoral purposes.

The defendant denies that the plaintiffs are entitled to recover possession on this ground or at all and denies in particular that the premises had ever been used as a brothel or were currently being used as a brothel or for illegal or immoral purposes. The defendant further admits receiving the notice to quit dated 29 October 1965. The defendant has also filed a counterclaim for certain sums of money alleged to have been paid to the plaintiffs in excess of that lawfully due. But since the standard rent of the premises, viz. $150 per month is not in dispute, I was informed by Counsel for the par