§ MR. KEIR HARDIEasked the Attorney-General a Question of which he had given private notice — namely, whether his attention had been called to the action of a house agent and King's tax collector at Old Ford and Bow, who had given his tenant notice to quit for exhibiting a board in his front garden advocating the claims of a Labour candidate at an approaching borough council election, and what action it was proposed to take to prevent this form of intimidation being continued.
§ SIR JOHN WALTONThe conduct the hon. Member complains of, however regrettable it may be, does not, I fear, constitute any breach of the statutes relating to corruption. A throat in connection with the giving of a vote might infringe the Corrupt Practices Act; but I am not aware of any provision by which it becomes a breach of the law for a landlord to threaten a tenant with eviction for exhibiting a political placard. The hon. Member only gave notice of his Question a short time ago. I will consider the matter further. If a breach of the law has been committed, I will see that the necessary steps are taken.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEsaid that as the election would take place on Thursday he would repeat the Question to-morrow.