HC Deb 15 February 1932 vol 261 cc1275-6
53. Sir W. SUGDEN

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to protect working-class purchasers of dwelling-houses who have purchased houses at West Leyton and where the occupants of such houses are enjoying the same at low rental while the workmen purchasers are paying high rent for poor accommodation in rooms; and, if he is given the names of the respective parties, will he take proper steps to remedy the inequity?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)

The matter is not one in which my right hon. Friend is empowered to intervene. As has already been announced, it is proposed to introduce legislation to amend the Rent Restrictions Acts, based generally on the recommendations of the Committee which reported last year. Their report contains proposals, inter alia, for amendment of the law in relation to such cases as my hon. Friend has in mind.

Sir W. SUDGEN

Arising out of that reply, in view of the great hardship to a number of working men and women in West Leyton, is there no opportunity of dealing with this matter, and may I ask that it will be sympathetically considered by the Law Officers, so that some by-law may be put into immediate operation Under the Local Government Acts up to 1895, whereby this matter may be remedied?

Mr. BROWN

There is no power to do anything of the kind, and I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 81 of the Report, Command Paper 3911.