HC Deb 08 May 1918 vol 105 c2158
92. Mr. PETO

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to cases of the wives of masters and officers of merchant ships who are under notice to quit their houses and who owing to the limit of £26 per annum in the provinces prescribed by the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, have no protection; and whether he will at once advise the introduction of legislation to afford them protection during the War?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. S. Walsh)

I understand that there are occasional cases of the kind referred to, but my right hon. Friend is unable to give a promise of further legislation on this subject at the present time.

Mr. PETO

Has the attention of the hon. Gentleman been called to the case of the wife of a junior officer on a vessel going from Liverpool, importing munitions of war, with a young baby, who is about to be turned out of her house because her rent is £30 12s. and not £26, and does he think it right to give protection to the wives of the crews of those vessels and not to the wives of officers?

Mr. WALSH

I think that the question is as to the introduction of legislation. There are specific cases of hardship which everybody feels, but we cannot advise legislation at the present time.