§ Mr. WILKIEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that The Increase of Rent, &c. (Amendment), Act, 1919, expires on the 1st July this year; that the Act repeals the clauses in the 191S Act and the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restriction) Act, 1919, giving tenants fixity of tenure on complying with certain conditions of tenancy, and the whole Act of 1918, and that landlords will be in a position of evicting tenants at 1st July; and whether, seeing that such a condition of affairs, owing to the scarcity of houses, would involve danger to public order and peace, the Government intends to introduce legislation to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThis matter has received the consideration of the Cabinet, and a Committee has been set up to consider the operation of the Rent Restriction Acts, and to advise what steps should be taken to extend, continue, or amend those Acts.
§ Lieut.-Colonel DALRYMPLE WHITEasked the Minister of Health whether rents of houses coming within the provisions of The Rent Restriction Act, 1915, can be raised 10 per cent. after six months subsequent to the notification of peace with Germany; and whether, in respect of the 1919 Act, the extra 10 per cent. can be charged during the currency of an existing Treasury agreement, or if the lease must be previously determined.
§ Dr. ADDISONThe date of the termination of the War for the purposes of the Rent Restriction Acts will be fixed by Order in Council under the Termination of the Present War (Definition) Act, and the six months period will run from the date so fixed. I am not aware of any provision in the Rent Restriction Acts which would authorise an increase in the rent during the currency of an existing agreement.