§ 8. Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to repeal the Payment for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1971.
§ Mr. ChannonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MeacherDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that maintaining this provocative and retrospective Stormont-produced Measure is incompatible with the aims of the Secretary of State's initiative and that the value of the sums recovered is easily outweighed by the political damage done? Since the rent strike shows no signs of faltering, would not a display of magnanimity in repealing the Measure prove far more rewarding in the long run?
§ Mr. ChannonNo, Sir. I think that to do such a thing would be an intolerable affront to vast numbers of people who have continued, some under grave provocation, to pay their rent. Surely everyone here agrees that services in every community have to be paid for and that people in all sections of the community must realise their obligations for the payment of such services.
§ Mr. MatherHow much has been collected under this Measure and how much remains to be collected?
§ Mr. ChannonApproximately £1 million is now owed in rent and rates. The average weekly recovery is about £35,000.
§ Mr. HayhoeWould my hon. Friend agree that the main thing is to get the political measures necessary to bring an end to the rent strike? Is it not the case that there are encouraging signs towards that end?
§ Mr. ChannonI entirely agree with my hon. Friend. I think it is being increasingly realised that the civil disobedience campaign must end as one of the requisites of getting the whole community back to normal life.