HC Deb 15 June 1948 vol 452 cc235-6
24. Mrs. Jean Mann

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there has been a committee set up for Scotland to report on the feasibility of extending the protection of the Rent Restrictions Acts to shopkeepers; or if the Lord Chancellor's Committee who are to report on this matter contains any Scottish members.

Mr. Woodburn

The general question of the tenure of shop premises in Scotland was examined recently by a Committee of Inquiry, whose report was published in December, 1947. The terms of reference of the Leasehold Committee appointed by the Lord Chancellor do not extend to Scotland, and there is, accordingly, no Scottish representation.

Mrs. Mann

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the committee to which he has referred, the Taylor Committee, did not deal with the Rent Restrictions Acts in its terms of reference? Although the Leasehold Committee is applicable to England, they at least have had the perspicacity to inquire into the extension of protection to shopkeepers by the Rent Restrictions Acts. Can my right hon. Friend explain why they do things so much better in England than in Scotland?

Mr. Woodburn

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's last assertion. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] Because it would require some proof before it was admitted in Scotland. Any recommendations which the Leasehold Committee makes will be watched with interest by us in Scotland.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

What has really happened in this matter? Two months ago the right hon. Gentleman gave a typically soporific answer, and since then nothing has been done to protect people under the terms of the Taylor Committee.

Mr. Woodburn

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman has not been in Scotland lately.

Sir T. Moore

I have.

Mr. Woodburn

Quite a number of shops have been requisitioned, and a large number of cases investigated. A great deal has been done which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has evidently not noticed.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the report of the Taylor Committee was unsatisfactory, that no solution of the problem was found, and that the matter is urgent? Will he set up another committee to deal with it, or seek to extend the terms of reference of the Lord Chancellor's Committee so that they can deal with it? Could I have an answer?

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