HC Deb 31 July 1930 vol 242 cc707-8
Mr. TOUT

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health whether he can state what action the Government propose to take in regard to the Rent Restrictions Acts?

Mr. GREENWOOD

The Government have given careful consideration to this question. The last general inquiry into the working of the Acts was made in 1923, and the whole situation has been profoundly modified since that date by such factors as the operation of the Act passed in that year and by the additions made to the number of houses available. While, therefore, the Government are fully conscious of difficulties and hardships resulting from the existing Acts, they feel that before coming to any conclusion as to the course to be adopted it is necessary to have the whole field under the Acts fully examined by a strong Departmental Committee, and they propose to set up such a committee as soon as possible. Meanwhile they will propose to Parliament in due course to extend the existing Acts for another year by means of the Expiring Continuance Act.

Mr. TOUT

Does the Minister propose to take any action in regard to the present decontrolled working-class houses and the exorbitant rents which are being charged for them?

Mr. GREENWOOD

That will be a matter which will fall to be considered by the committee.

Mr. STEPHEN

Will it be within the purview of this committee to consider the reimposition of pre-War rents for those houses?

Mr. GREENWOOD

While the terms of reference have not definitely been settled, they will be of a very wide character in order to enable the committee to go into the whole problem.

Sir BASIL PETO

Dees not the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, in fact, mean that there is no prospect of any amendment of the Rent Restrictions Acts during the lifetime of the present Government?

Mr. GREENWOOD

No, Sir.

Mr. ALPASS

Will this committee take into consideration the position of agricultural labourers as to how they are affected by farmers having the power to apply to county agricultural committees to get permission to evict them?

Mr. GREENWOOD

The terms of reference will be wide enough to cover that matter.

Mr. ERNEST WINTERTON

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Departmental Committee will sit during the Recess?

Mr. GREENWOOD

I hope that it will sit long before the Recess is over, and as soon after it has been appointed as possible.

Mr. McGOVERN

Will the Committee also apply to Scotland?

Mr. GREENWOOD

Yes, Sir, the terms of reference will be broad enough to cover the whole of the United Kingdom.

Mr. STEPHEN

And will there be Scottish representatives?

Mr. FOOT

Will the members of the Committee which is to be set up be confined to membership of this House, or will opinion outside he taken?

Mr. GREENWOOD

It will not be confined to Members of this House.