26. Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the manner in which the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, have been evaded in certain cases where the tenants were not sufficiently wealthy to enforce their civil rights under that Act, he will consider the desirability of providing that any landlord or mortgagee acting in breach of the provisions of that Act shall be deemed to have committed an offence under the Defence of the Realm Act and to be punishable accordingly?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, makes irrecoverable increases of rent or mortgage interest in respect of small dwellings, above the standard rent or rate of interest fixed by the Act, and no proceedings by tenants or mortgagors are necessary to enforce their rights.
Mr. WHITEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been cases in which a great deal of difficulty has been caused by demands for rent in contravention of the terms of the Act?
§ Mr. FISHERThat is quite possible. A Bill to meet this, introduced by the Solicitor-General, has already passed this House, and is now before the House of Lords.