§ 97. Mr. Smedley Crookeasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of taking legisla- 2248 tive action to punish small-property landlords who have been found guilty of using slum-clearance orders and the overcrowding Act for the purpose of rent profiteering?
§ Sir K. WoodI shall be glad if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases he has in mind, and I will have inquiry made.
§ 100. Mr. Silvermanasked the Minister of Health whether local authorities who apply for clearance orders under the Housing Act customarily give any undertaking with regard to the exercise of their discretionary powers to pay compensation to dispossessed shopkeepers; and in what manner he exercises his powers to enforce the due keeping of such undertakings and /or to review the exercise by such local authorities of their discretion in suitable specific instances?
§ Sir K. WoodThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The granting of allowances under these powers is, as the hon. Member appreciates, at the discretion of the local authority and I have no jurisdiction. I have, however, frequently expressed the hope that authorities will exercise their powers in suitable cases. If the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind, perhaps he will communicate with me.
§ Mr. SilvermanWhile thanking the Minister for that answer, is he aware that a great many of these cases concern very poor people who have been earning their living in small general shops for perhaps 20 or 30 years, and are put out at the end of that time with no alternative means of earning their living?