11. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the large increases in the rents of houses rented at more than £30 a year, in Glasgow, to which the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest Act does not apply, is forcing many of the occupants of such houses to take houses at a rent below £30; whether his attention has been called to numerous advertisements in the Glasgow papers offering rewards of £5 for the opportunity of becoming tenants of a small house; whether he is aware that the purpose of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest Act is thus being defeated; and whether he will consider the advisability of extending the Act to all dwelling houses?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)As regards the first and last parts of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the reply which I gave him on 20th March. As regards the second and third parts, my attention has been directed to advertisements of the nature referred to. My hon. Friend will, however, realise that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to check by legislation a practice of this nature on the part of persons who desire to become tenants of small houses. The extension of the Act to all dwelling-houses would obviously not have that effect.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the right hon. Gentleman take the earliest opportunity of declaring the insertion of these advertisements of this premium illegal?
§ Mr. MUNROI think it would be very difficult to do that when the advertisements are inserted by the person who-desires the dwelling-house.