§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received three deputations from the Health and Housing Committee of the Loudon County Council on the subject of the transfer of registered lodging houses from the police to the London County Council; and whether he will receive a deputation from the Registered Lodging House Keepers' Association on the same subject before coming to a decision?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.A deputation was received by the late Home Secretary in April, 1892, from the London County Council Committee, and another by myself in November of the same year. The Registered Lodging House Keepers' Association asked me to receive a deputation in the autumn, after I had arrived at a decision, and were requested to submit their views in writing, which they did in December; but, after giving their statement careful consideration, I did not think any good object would be served by receiving them, and I am still of that opinion.
§ MR. BARTLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London County Council has become a large competitor in the business of letting lodgings, and will he receive those who are interested in this industry before he makes this sweeping change, and transfers them to the management of a competing body?
§ MR. ASQUITHI do not agree that the London County Council has become large competitors with the members of the Association. I have carefully considered the written views of this body, and I am quite satisfied they have no reason to fear the jurisdiction of the London County Council.