Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the house at No. 14, Grove Lane, Thurso, has been reported on by the local sanitary inspector as neither wind-nor water-tight; that the rent of this house was raised without official notice under the Rent Restriction Act, 1920, being given; whether any instructions have been issued by the local council to the owner of this house to put it in proper repair; and, if not, what reason the local council gives for its inaction?
Mr. MURRAYI am informed that the sanitary inspector reported that this house was not in a reasonable state of repair, and that the Town Council, as sanitary authority, thereupon issued a certificate to this effect in terms of Subsection (2) of Section 2 of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920. I do not know whether the rent of the house has, or has not, been raised, but I assume from the fact that a certificate was applied for that the necessary notice was given of an intention to raise the rent. I understand that the Town Council have not issued any instructions to the owner of the house to put it in proper repair, and I am not aware that they have any power to issue such instructions.