§ 18. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that private landlords are increasing the rents of houses by more than 800 per cent., even when such houses are under £40 rateable value; and if he will introduce legislation to limit such increases to reasonable proportions.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneI assume that the hon. Member is referring to houses in Prinlaws. I can only repeat that, if they have not already done so, the tenants concerned should take legal advice on the question whether the Rent Restrictions Acts apply to their tenancies. The matter is not one in which my right hon. Friend has any standing to intervene.
§ Mr. HamiltonThe hon. Gentleman is quite right; it is Prinlaws about which I am concerned. How can he possibly justify colossal increases in rent of this nature on houses which are well over a hundred years old, which have no amenities whatever and are being operated by some of the biggest scoundrels in the business? Will the hon. 1014 Gentleman not just sit aside and say that it is a matter between landlord and tenant? Does he not realise that the tenants have had to take collections at the pit heads in order to collect money to fight the cases in the courts? How can the Government possibly stand aside if they believe in social justice at all?
§ Mr. BrowneAs the hon. Gentleman knows, both my right hon. Friend and the local authorities have watched this matter very closely——
§ Mr. HamiltonThat is all they have done.
§ Mr. Browne—but the issues are not for my right hon. Friend to pronounce upon. What is involved is a matter between landlord and tenant which may have to be decided in the courts.