49. Mr. PALMERasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the distress obtaining in many parts of the country by the issue of orders for eviction of tenants under the 1923 Rent Restrictions Act; and if he is in a position to state the Government policy in the matter?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Wheatley)I have been asked to reply. I am aware that there are a number of cases of eviction under the Rent Restrictions Act of last year. The Government are generally in favour of the Bill which is now before a Standing Committee, and their future action will depend upon the progress made by that Bill and the form in which it emerges from the Committee.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes that mean that unless this Bill has favourable progress the Government is going to allow evictions to continue?
§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODAs the right hon. Gentleman states that the Government is in favour of the Bill, why does he not come down and assist the Committee?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYBecause there are many things that the Government favour which are not Government business.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI received no reply to my question.
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI want to assure the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs that the Government will do everything the law permits it to do to prevent evictions.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEAre we to understand that it is to be the policy of the Government for a responsible Minister to come down to the House and support a Bill and then leave it unattended in Committee?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI assume it is an honoured custom in this House that on a Private Member's Bill a Member may exercise his privilege as a Member of the House in supporting a Bill, and when the Bill was before the House I did so. In addition, I intimated that the Government were generally in favour of the principle of the Bill and hoped it would get a Second Reading.
§ Mr. HUDSONIs my right hon. Friend I aware that in one of the Yorkshire county courts a decision has already been given to adjourn all cases for possession of homes, and under the circumstances is he prepared to suggest that that might: become a universal rule?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that he is merely following a precedent set by the President of the Board of Agriculture in the last Government in relation to the Merchandise Marks Bill?
Sir G. DOYLEWill the right hon. Gentleman state why he and the Attorney-General retired from the Committee?