§ 79. Sir ALFRED YEOasked the Minister of Health whether the terms of reference to the Departmental Committee on the Rent Restriction Acts cover the cases of rents of shops and offices; and, if not, whether the terms of reference will be extended to include these cases?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe terms of reference are sufficiently wide to cover the cases to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Sir A. YEOWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of immediately considering this question, as rents are being raised from £300 to £1,760 a year?
§ Dr. ADDISONWe are doing so now.
§ Sir A. YEOThen get on with it.
§ 80. Major LLOYD-GREAMEasked whether, in view of the fact that the Increase of Rent, etc. (Amendment), Act, 1919, expires on the 30th June next, and of the great uncertainty prevailing in the country, he can give an assurance that a full statement of the policy of the Government on this subject will be made before next Lady Day, and that further legislation will be introduced in sufficient time for all persons affected to take advantage of such legislation?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe Government are fully alive to the fact that, if the Acts are to be continued, it will be necessary that legislation for this purpose should be passed before the 30th June, and the Committee which has been appointed to consider this question, and is already at work, is well aware of its urgency.
§ Major LLOYD-GREAMEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of notices to quit will be given before next Lady Day, and ought not landlords to know what the policy of the Government is going to be?
§ Dr. ADDISONWe hope it will be possible to announce our decision in time.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHWho are the members of this Committee, and how many landlords are there upon it?