HC Deb 27 May 1919 vol 116 cc1151-2

(1) If the owner of any house suitable for occupation by persons of the working classes fails to keep such house in all respects reasonably lit for human habitation then, without prejudice to any other powers, the local authority may serve a notice upon the owner of such house requiring him within a reasonable time, not being less than twenty-one days specified in the notice, to execute such works as may be necessary to make the house in. all respects reasonably fit for human habitation.

(3) Any expense incurred by the local authority under this Section may be recovered in a court of summary jurisdiction, together with interest at a rate not exceeding live pounds per centum per annum from the date of service of a demand for the same till payment thereof from the owner, and until recovery of such expenses and interest the same shall be a charge on the premises. In all summary proceedings by the local authority for the recovery of any such expenses, the time within such proceedings may be taken shall be reckoned from the date of the service of notice of demand.

Mr. THOMPSON

I beg to move, in Sub-section (1), alter the word "to" ["fails to keep"] to insert the words "make and."

This is very largely a drafting Amendment carrying out and following upon the discussion which took place in Committee, and I am hopeful, though I failed the last time, that the right hon. Gentleman may be willing to accept the Amendment now. This to enlarge the scope of the Clause. The suggestion was made upstairs that the word "keep" might merely refer to the responsibility or the obligation of the landlord to keep in repair the existing structure, whereas by putting in the words "make and keep" you could add to the fabric something which was not originally there, and thereby enable improvements to be made in a house which might not come under the Clause as it now stands.

Mr. A. WILLIAMS

I beg to second the Amendment.

Dr. ADDISON

I will accept these words.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. A. WILLIAMS

I beg to move, in Sub-section (3), after the word "within" ["time within"], to insert the word "which." I think this is only a printers error.

Amendment agreed to.

Dr. ADDISON

I beg to move, at the end of the Clause, to add (7) "This Section shall be deemed to be part of Part II. of the principal Act. This makes it quite clear to which part of the Housing Act this question of the repair of property relates, and also it is necessary in order that the powers which may be exercised under Part II. of the Act may be properly exercised in respect of the words here indicated. It is also necessary in the case of any neglect to carry out work under Part II. as prescribed in previous parts of this Bill, in the event of which someone else may be called upon to undertake it, or the Board itself may undertake it. This work would be included within the purpose of Part II., otherwise there might be a mistake as to the general scope of the operations. This Amendment is only to make the scheme more watertight.

Amendment agreed to.