HC Deb 24 March 1920 vol 127 cc395-7
35. Mr. MACQUISTEN

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that lenders on house property affected by the Rent Restrictions Acts, whose money is frozen at a rate of interest much below the market rate, are on the sale of such properties not permitted to recover their loans, because the vendors, to secure a higher price, arrange with purchasers to retain their loans, and to give the latter a part or the whole of the benefit of the low rate of interest; and whether he will secure in any new rent restriction legislation that every lender shall, on the sale of property mortgaged to him, be entitled to receive payment of his loan out of the purchase price?

Dr. ADDISON

The hon. and learned Member's suggestion shall be brought to the notice of the Committee on the Rent Restrictions Acts, who will no doubt consider it in connection with the general position of mortgagees of house property.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that that is given effect to, because it is causing great inconvenience?

Dr. ADDISON

I can scarcely give instructions to the Committee. I must await their Report.

Mr. BILLING

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of small property is carrying a mortgage, the interest on which is going out, and that it is almost impossible for small property owners to hold it? Will the right hon. Gentleman say that it is the intention of the Government to remove this restriction so far as small property owners are concerned?

Dr. ADDISON

I cannot make a definite statement before the Committee reports, but I am fully aware of the various points the hon. Member has raised, and he may be sure we shall bear them in mind. It will not be long.

Mr. BILLING

Is it the policy of the right hon. Gentleman to give this question his favourable consideration? Is he in favour of removing the difficulty in the case of small properties?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rate of interest is fixed as well as the rent, and that because the rate of interest is fixed on the pre-War basis this injustice is caused?

Dr. ADDISON

I am well aware of all the facts, and am giving the matter the most friendly consideration.

36. Mr. MACQUISTEN

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many soldiers who sold their houses and went on service bought houses on their return prior to the Rent Restrictions Act of 1919 and cannot get possession, and that their furniture is stored, while the non-military occupants of the houses which the soldiers have paid for show only that minimum of alacrity in looking for another house sufficient to prevent the County Courts from ejecting them, and are in many cases letting parts of such houses on lucrative terms; and whether he will amend the Rent Restriction Acts, and make it obligatory on the occupant of a house who refuses possession to a purchaser to find equal alternative accommodation for the latter, and to make good to him any increase in cost due to his refusal of possession, including the storage of the purchaser's furniture, if any, and any increase in daily travelling expenses?

Dr. ADDISON

Perhaps I may refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Ripon on the 19th February of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very large number of these cases of soldiers who have bought their houses and cannot get into them? Can he suggest any justification why one man should occupy another man's house when the latter needs the house, and why he should not pay the loss that accrues to the owner?

Dr. ADDISON

That is just one of the cases which shows how difficult this question is. One request is that we shall restrain tenants from being evicted and the next is to show how we can get them out.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is it not right that if the tenant stays on in the house he should at least make good the losses and damage that accrue to the owner in consequence?

Mr. BILLING

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some indication as to when the Committee will report and when the Government's decision will be arrived at?

Dr. ADDISON

I will undertake that legislation will be introduced in time—before the June quarter-day.

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