HC Deb 04 July 1890 vol 346 cc801-2
MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of poor tenants, in the neighbourhood of Golden Lane, St. Luke's, are being turned out of their houses, the landlord having given the tenants notice to quit, but the tenants not being able to get other places by the time of the expiration of the notice, the landlord has commenced taking the roofs off, thus causing great suffering from the storms of the past few days; and whether he has any power to take action to prevent the landlord clearing his property in this manner?

MR. MATTHEWS

My attention has only been drawn to this matter by the question of the hon. Member, and I have not as yet been able to obtain a Report on the subject. I have no power to prevent the landlord from exercising his legal rights; and I have not sufficient information to enable me to judge whether there has been any want of humanity in the manner of enforcing them.

MR. J. ROWLANDS

Is it possible to get a Report of the case, as steps are being taken to interview the owner of the property in order to induce him to give these poor people time? I am told that the Magistrates have no power.

MR. MATTHEWS

I have applied to the Commissioner of the Police for information, but have not yet received it.

MR. SEXTON

Is the Home Secretary advised that it is legal to take off the roofs of houses while still occupied, and before the eviction has taken place?

MR. MATTHEWS

I can hardly answer that question, as I understand the terms of the notice to the tenants have expired, so that they have no longer any interest in the premises. I do not allege that myself; I have no knowledge on the subject.

MR. SEXTON

The question is, can this landlord by law be allowed to endanger human life and health by taking off the roofs of houses. Must not the process of law be completed by eviction before the houses can be dismantled?

MR. MATTHEWS

I must ask for notice of that question.

MR. J. ROWLANDS

I will put a question on the Paper for Monday.