§ 63. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Health whether he can now make any statement in relation to the continuation and amendment of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act?
§ 64. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Minister of Health whether he can now state the Government's intention with regard to the introduction of a Bill amending the Rent Restrictions Act so as to release from control houses owned by people who require them for their own occupation?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIt is proposed to provide for the continuance of the Rent Restrictions Acts in their present form by means of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, which is now before the House. The question of the Amendment of the Acts will receive consideration, but it will not be practicable to introduce amending legislation during the present year.
§ Sir K. WOODHas the right hon. Gentleman his proposals ready?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe right hon. Member had better put that question at a later stage.
§ Sir B. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the enormous hardship which is involved in keeping the owners of small houses out of occupation of their property, which grievance has existed for 10 years? Is he going to postpone for another year a measure of justice to these people?
§ Mr. GREENWOODAs I have already informed the hon. Baronet, this question is one which might well have been put at any time during the last five years.
§ Sir B. PETOIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have put the question on previous occasions?
Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether he intends to amend the Act to prevent many of the houses which become vacant being brought under decontrol, and the rents increased enormously to the incoming tenants?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have already answered that question by saying that all we can do before the 31st December is to continue the present provisions. It is not possible within the limits of Parliamentary time to make any amendment of the existing law.