§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that some fifty householders living in Stirling Road, South Acton, Middlesex, have been served with distress warrants for sums varying from £1 7s. 6d. to £5 for rates that were paid to the landlord but not paid by him to the local authority; and, if so, whether he will introduce an Amendment of the law to protect such people.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. I am informed that some time ago the overseers adopted the practice of compounding for the poor rates with the owners of properties of a rateable value up to £20. The limit allowed by the statute is, however, only £8, and attention having been called to the matter, the occupiers of properties 1200 over this value are now rated instead of the owners as heretofore. I understood that the hon. Member has been furnished with a copy of the overseers' statement as to the circumstances of the case. The position referred to in the Question is unfortunate, but I can only suggest that fresh agreements should be entered into as soon as possible between the landlord and the tenants. I could not at the present time undertake to introduce legislation as suggested.