§ 68. Mr. Smedley Crookeasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the methods adopted in some cases by the Birmingham Estates Department by which some landlords of property in the Emily Street area are rendered destitute owing to the local department's interpretation of the Housing 1770 Act; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made in such cases of hardship so as to obtain equitable compensation for loss sustained and to avoid what amounts to confiscation of property?
§ Sir K. WoodI have received no such complaints as my hon. Friend mentions. If he will send me particulars I shall be happy to look into them, and see if there is any action open to me to take.
§ Mr. Smedley CrookeIs my right hon. Friend aware that in this area the arbitrator appointed by his Department granted only £1 compensation for 23 houses; is he further aware that since the decision, rents amounting to £50 have been collected from those houses, none of which has gone to the unfortunate owner?
§ Sir K. WoodPerhaps my hon. Friend would give me full particulars.