HC Deb 18 November 1937 vol 329 cc569-71
57. Mr. Ammon

asked the Minister of Health what opportunity was given to the Metropolitan boroughs to give evidence to the Committee on Rent Restrictions?

Sir K. Wood

I understand that the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee were invited on 9th July, 1937, to submit evidence to the Departmental Committee, and that the Departmental Committee were informed by letter dated 21st July that instructions had been given to prepare the evidence which would be ready by the end of September. On 12th October the Departmental Committee were informed that the Standing Joint Committee were not able to give any evidence owing to the time allowed them being inadequate for the purpose. Statements of evidence have, however, been received independently from the Metropolitan boroughs of Bermondsey, Deptford and Fulham, and oral evidence covering the whole of the London area has been heard from the London County Council.

Mr. Ammon

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it was unreasonable to expect the Metropolitan boroughs to prepare their evidence just before the long Recess? Their complaint is that, in effect, they have not been heard.

Sir K. Wood

There are no grounds of complaint. Other Metropolitan boroughs were able to do this. They had from 9th July in which to prepare their evidence. As a matter of fact, oral evidence has been given from the London County Council.

Mr. W. H. Green

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the three Metropolitan boroughs mentioned have had a long experience, due to having set up a rent information bureau since the passing of this Act, and that they were denied the opportunity of giving oral evidence?

Sir K. Wood

If the hon. Member will put that question on the Order Paper, I shall be glad to answer it. It has no relevance to the question on the Paper.

Mr. Benjamin Smith

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the fact that another of the boroughs mentioned was also refused the opportunity of giving evidence?

Sir K. Wood

I said that statements of evidence had been received from the Metropolitan Boroughs of Bermondsey, Deptford and Fulham. As these boroughs were able to get their evidence prepared in the time, it is suggested that the other Metropolitan boroughs ought to have been able to do so.

Mr. Smith

Is it right to say that the borough of Bermondsey was refused the opportunity of an oral inquiry?

Sir K. Wood

I did not say anything of the kind.

Mr. H. Morrison

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that it is inevitably a longer process preparing evidence for a collective authority of 28 authorities than it is for a single authority?

Sir K. Wood

That may be so, but they had from 9th July and the Departmental Committee were informed on 20th July that instructions had been given to prepare the evidence by the end of September.