§ 42. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will initiate legislation to provide a measure of decontrol of those mortgages which still remain subject to the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restriction Acts.
§ Mr. H. BrookeMortgage control is lifted where a house comes out of rent control. Where the landlord is still restricted as regards the rent he can charge or the regaining of possession. I think that he should continue to enjoy his present protection against a mortgagee.
§ Mr. PageIs my right hon. Friend aware that many of these very old mortgages, pre-1914 mortgages, are included in small trust estates and that the low rate of interest is causing considerable hardship to those entitled to the income from such estates?
§ Mr. BrookeI agree with my hon. Friend that this is a difficult matter, but it was considered by the Government at the time of the introduction of the Rent Bill, and I think that we reached the right conclusion.