§ Mr. SEXTONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been 323W called to the case of G. Bate, of 136, Windleshaw Road, Liverpool, who contracted with a local builder to build him a house; whether he is aware that the said builder, having since become bankrupt, no progress in consequence has been made with the building since September of last year; that, though Mr. Bate is anxious to secure a new contractor to complete the building at a much increased cost, he is prevented from doing so by the trustee appointed in connection with the bankruptcy withholding the certificate by which Mr. Bate can secure the Government subsidy to enable him to complete the building of the house; and if he will make the necessary inquiries and take the necessary steps to this end?
§ Sir A. MONDI am making enquiries into this case, and will inform the hon. Member of the position.
§ Mr. SEXTONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a report presented to the Liverpool City Council on the 1st of the present month to the effect that, notwithstanding the dearth of dwelling-houses, there are 431 empty houses within the city boundary; whether he is aware of the practice of dwelling-house speculators who buy houses wholesale over the heads of existing tenants with the object of compelling existing tenants of the working-class who have no money to purchase or who are not inclined to purchase to either do so or quit the premises at a given period; that in case the existing tenant refuses to accept the speculators' terms he lives with the fear of eviction continually before him; and if it is his intention to devise means to protect such tenants against this iniquitous practice?
§ Sir A. MONDMy attention has not previously been drawn to the report to which the hon. Member refers in the first part of his question. The Rent Restriction Act appears to afford ample protection to tenants against eviction.