§ 25. Mr. TRAINasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that owners of dwelling houses in Scotland which are subject to the Rent Restrictions Acts have to pay, without relief from occupiers, all increases of owners' rates since the year 1920; and will he state the extent to which the statutory increase of 40 per cent. has been reduced on this account for the current year in the principal towns of Scotland and the landward districts of Larkhall, Blantyre, Cambuslang, and East Kilbride, all in the county of Lanark?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing in the case of the principal towns, and the landward areas mentioned, the percentage of the net rent represented by the increase in the owner's rates over those levied in 1919–20 which is payable in respect of controlled houses where the full permitted increases of rent have been made.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the Under-Secretary in a position to tell the House whether there will be anything in connection with the reduction of rents in the King's Speech?
§ Mr. SKELTONNo, Sir, I am certainly not in such a position.
§ Following is the table:
| Per cent. | |
| Glasgow: | |
| Glasgow parish | 19.4 |
| Govan parish | 20.7 |
| Edinburgh | 8.3 |
| Dundee | 7.6 |
| Aberdeen | 2.3 |
| Paisley | 4.8 |
| Greenock | 10.3 |
| *Motherwell and Wishaw | 12.7 |
| Clydebank | 20.8 |
| Larkhall | 32.3 |
| Blantyre | 30.8 |
| Cambuslang | 27.4 |
| East Kilbride | 33.1 |
| * On 1931–32 rates. |
§ 26. Mr. TRAINasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in any part of Lanarkshire, the amount of rates paid by owners has, during any year since 1920, been in excess of the statutory increase of 40 per cent., so that owners have had to meet the post-war costs of repair and mortgage interest with less rent than they had in 1914?
§ Mr. SKELTONThere are eases in which the amount of owner's rates payable in respect of a controlled house whose rent has been increased by the maximum amount permitted has exceeded 40 per cent. of the net rent. While in the time available it has not been possible to make a complete investigation, my right hon. Friend is not aware of any case in which the maximum controlled rent reduced by the amount of owner's rates payable is less than the 1914 net rent similarly reduced.