§ 51. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there has been no reduction in rents of working-class houses since 1920; and 978 whether he will introduce legislation at once to provide for a 50 per cent. reduction in rents, in view of the poverty of the people?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Mr. Skelton)I am aware that the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, with regard to permitted increases in rent are still in force. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for the Gorbals Division (Mr. Buchanan).
§ Mr. McGOVERNIn view of the fact that it is now 12 months since the Government promised some legislation in connection with rents, and that no legislation has been introduced, and in view of the fact that thousands are being evicted from their homes, due to their inability to pay the high rents, will the Secretary of State for Scotland consider the advisability of asking the landlords of this country to bear a portion of the sacrifices that the workers are being compelled to bear?
§ Mr. SKELTONI can assure the hon. Member that I shall be very glad if he can give me any example of which he may be aware of people being evicted through inability to pay their rent other than those cases we know of in the City of Glasgow, which are constantly under review.
§ Mr. McGOVERNI want to press further that in view of the fact that 3,000 houses are being de-controlled every month, that the rents are being raised, that there was a promise by the Government 12 months ago to introduce legislation, and that none has been introduced, can we get any promise from the Government as to how they intend to meet the pressing need arising out of that state of affairs? I must insist upon an answer.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has had two answers already.
§ Mr. McGOVERNI want to ask whether we can get any promise, near the end of the Session, from the Government or any responsible person as to their intentions in connection with the rent problem. It is a very serious affair 979 and aggravated by the means test and other brutal methods which the Government are proposing.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland not aware of the fact that every section of the community since 1920 has had reductions to the extent of 50 per cent., except landlords, that the workers have had their wages reduced by 50 per cent., but that they still have to pay the same rents? In these circumstances—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe really cannot have a debate on this question.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThis rent question is the most serious thing we have to face in this country, and the question I wish to put to the hon. Gentleman—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot raise this matter at Question Time. He must select another time.
§ Mr. McGOVERNI wish to give notice, in view of the serious position due to these evictions that are taking place, that I will raise this question at the earliest possible moment in this House.