Mr. C. WILSONasked the Minister of Health whether the district auditor has called his attention to the difficulties in which the Sheffield and Eccleshall overseers find themselves in regard to arrears of rates, which is due in part to the markedly depressed state of the city's trade and in part to the abandonment in 1921 of the rating of owners; whether he is aware that under the provisions of the Rent Restrictions Act, and as a result of the case of Nicholson v. Jackson in the Court of Appeal, it was decided that any advantage accorded to the owner as a result of compounding should be enjoyed by the tenant; and, seeing that it is not possible to revert to compounding without an amendment of the Rent Restrictions Act and that, in the opinion of the overseers, compounding provides the only means whereby tenants in smaller properties 2280W can pay their rates, if he will consider whether a short Bill can be introduced in order to relieve a very serious situation in many parts of the country?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI am aware of the Report which has been made by the auditor as to the arrears of rates in the parishes referred to, and I am considering what action can best be taken in the matter, but I am not prepared to introduce legislation which would have the effect of increasing the tenant's rent.