§ 45. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of alarm and distress prevailing among large numbers of business tenants in consequence of the impending expiration of their statutory protection against dispossession; whether he is aware of the strong recommendations of the Select Committee on Business Premises that such protection should be extended on certain terms; and whether, in view of the urgency of the need, he will now take steps to give legislative effect to some or all of the Select Committee's recommendations?
§ Sir T. BRAMSDONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that no practical reason has been given for refusing to carry out the recommendation of the Select Committee on Business Premises, and is it not a very unusual thing for a Committee's recommendations to be turned down without some reason being given?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware that no reason has been given. I thought I heard my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister giving a series of reasons to the House, among others that the circumstances have changed very materially since the Committee reported.
Colonel NEWMANHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the resolution passed by a mass meeting at Australia House on this subject?
§ Major WATTS MORGANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the urgent and imperative necessity of some immediate measure of relief being afforded to many tenants of business premises throughout the country because of the abnormal and excessive rents now demanded, and that they are crying out for relief?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of the necessity for such legislation. I admit that the case is not a perfectly simple one, and I cannot deal with it finally by question and answer across the Floor of the House. In the opinion of the Government, the objections to continued interference in these matters outweigh any advantage that would be gained by continued interference.