§ 29. Mr. BOYTONasked the Attorney-General when and where the rules or directions under the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, will be published?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir John Simon)The rules were sent to the Stationery Office for publication on the 8th inst. I have inquired, and I am told that they will probably be available for the public to-morrow.
§ Mr. BOYTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware copies of the Bill are not available in the Vote Office, and if we want copies we are referred downstairs?
§ Sir J. SIMONI should imagine that copies of the Bill, as passed by this House, were the same as copies of the Act, and either will do for the purpose, but I will make inquiries?
§ Mr. BOYTONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Bill as passed in this House was not printed and that we have to refer to the Act?
§ 30. Mr. TOUCHEasked the Attorney-General whether, seeing that a landlord cannot distrain during the moratorium 633 because the rent is not due, and cannot under the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act distrain when the moratorium has expired and the rent has become due without leave of the Court, thus enabling fraudulent tenants to occupy premises for an extended period without paying rent and to remove their goods to avoid distress, there is any power or provision to make it illegal for tenants taking advantage of the moratorium to remove their goods, or in what respect is reasonable protection given, or proposed to be given, to landlords, especially to those who are owners of buildings of flats and offices on which they have to pay rates and taxes which are not covered by the moratorium, whereas their tenants have the full advantage of it?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe moratorium postpones the date when rent under agreements entered into before 4th August becomes due, but if a tenant took advantage of the postponement to remove his goods in order to avoid the consequences of distress, this would appear to be a good ground for the Court to refuse any relief under the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act.