§ 43. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Health for what reason he has recently refused permission to the Tottenham Urban District Council to accede to a request from their tenants urging a reduction in the rents of the council houses; and, in view of the general decrease in wages which has taken place and the difficulty of the tenants in finding other accommodation or in paying the present rents except by depriving themselves of the necessaries of life, whether he will reconsider this decision?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am advised that the present rents are not excessive, regard being had to the prevailing rents for comparable houses in the locality, and I am unable, therefore, to agree to a reduction. It will be open to the Council, if they so desire, to have the matter referred to the rents tribunal.
§ Mr. MORRISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rents in many cases are 40 per cent. of the tenant's income, that the tenant is not allowed to take in lodgers and that he cannot find accommodation elsewhere?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI cannot add anything to the answer which I have given, but if there is dissatisfaction the proper course is to have the matter referred to the Rents Tribunal to take the matter into consideration.