§ 44. Mr. HUDSONasked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that in quite a large number of cases the landlords in Newcastle-upon-Tyne increased the standard rents of workmen's dwellings between the 3rd day of August, 1914, and the date upon which the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1916, became operative, and that in cases where the tenants refuse to pay such increase the landlords are entering the difference in rent in the arrears column of the rent books; and will he say what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. LONGI am not aware that there are many cases of the kind referred to. I may point out that, if the increase above the standard rent was made between the 3rd August, 1914, and the date of passing of the Act, and there are arrears, such arrears are recoverable in respect of rent which accrued due before the 25th November, 1915, and are irrecoverable in respect of rent which accrued due on or after that date. In so far as the arrears are irrecoverable, the tenant seems sufficiently protected, and I do not think it necessary, on the information before me, to take any action.