§ 88 and 89. Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether he is aware that the Courts Emergency Act, designed and passed to protect town tenants from arbitrary rent-raising or 1797 evictions during the War, has in certain cases been ineffective; whether he will make inquiry with a view to amend the law; (2) whether he is aware that complaints are being made that the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act is evaded; whether he is aware that increases of rent have been levied and arbitrary evictions carried out recently; and whether he will have inquiries made and consider the advisability of introducing such amendments to the existing law as may be necessary to protect town tenants?
§ Mr. DUKEI am informed that the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, and the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, are being constantly availed of in the courts, and appear to be securing the objects for which they were passed. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any exceptional eases, I will have inquiry made.