§ MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware of the increase of rents in London, amounting in some cases to 30 and 40 per cent.; if his attention has been drawn to the practice of extracting key money on the renewal of tenancies prevailing in the poorer districts; and whether he is prepared to consider the feasibility of appointing a Select Committee to consider the whole question?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)I have no information on the point with respect to which the honourable Gentleman asks me the Question, nor have I any means of obtaining it. In any case I do not think it is a subject with which the Government could interfere.
§ MR. STEADMANThen am I to understand that the landlords in East London are to rob workmen—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!