§ 26. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Attorney-General whether he will consider issuing an order to provide that, in the case where an agreement of tenancy exists between landlord and tenant in respect of a private dwelling-house wherein there is a clause prohibiting sub-letting on the part of the tenant, such agreement shall not operate where a tenant affords accommodation to any person or family whose home has been rendered uninhabitable by enemy action?
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Donald Somervell)My hon. Friend will be aware that there are already on the Statute Book provisions designed to afford relief to tenants whose leases contain covenants not to sub-let without the consent of the landlord. I am not aware that these provisions require strengthening in order to afford further protection to tenants in the present circumstances. But if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases which he has in mind, I will certainly consider the matter further.
§ Mr. WalkdenI think hon. Members all round the House will be able to supply my right hon. and learned Friend with an abundance of evidence of cases where landlords and their house agents are securing ejectment orders through the courts, almost daily, despite the appeal to public opinion and to local authorities to resist such cases.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo one has drawn my attention or my Noble Friend's attention to cases of that kind.
§ Mr. WalkdenI do so to-day.