49. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that, in view of the approaching lapse of the law relating to business premises, many hundreds of tenants of such premises have been given notice to quit and are unable to find alternative accommodation; and whether consideration will be given to the advisability or otherwise of continuing the present law?
§ 50. Mr. J. DAVISONasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received any evidence of discontent in business circles on account of the threatened lapse of the protection at present afforded to tenants of business premises; and whether the. Government will reconsider their decision on this matter?
§ 51. Mr. HAYDAYasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in the event of the Government not being prepared to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Business Premises, it will at least extend the present protection to tenants of such premises for the same period as the other provisions of the Increase of Rent Act remain in force?
§ 52. Mr. MORRISasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the fact that there is still an acute shortage of business premises, and in view also of the present industrial situation, he will consider the advisability of passing legislation to continue the law affording protection to tenants of business premises and to defer the approaching 10 per cent. increase in rents of dwelling-houses?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir, I am -aware that there is serious inconvenience in certain cases, but His Majesty's 1688 Government have given most careful consideration to the subject, and in their opinion the objections to the course suggested outweigh the possible advantages.
§ Mr. DAVISONHave the Government taken into consideration the fact that most of these people who carry on small businesses of this description are dependent upon those people who are at present unemployed, and that the imposition of a further tax upon them will totally extinguish their businesses, while they will not be able to come on the Unemployment Fund?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINPartly owing to circumstances antecedent to the War, and partly owing to the conditions of the War years, there is, undoubtedly, a great shortage of houses for business and other purposes. I see no prospect of our returning to a sound position unless we can get private enterprise to build again; and the prolongation of restrictions upon the receipt of an economic rent must necessarily prevent private enterprise from helping us to a solution.
§ Mr. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman state how it is possible to get an economic rent if you have not an economic income?