§ Colonel DAYasked the Attorney-General if he will state if any and, if so, how many prosecutions have taken place at the instance of the Director of Public Prosecutions against persons charging extortionate rentals for furnished or unfurnished apartments or rooms; whether any convictions have been secured: if so, what were the decisions of the Courts; and is it contemplated taking more stringent action with a view to preventing extortionate rent charges being made by tenants who sub-let?
2230W
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERALThe Director of Public Prosecutions, owing to the limitations of the Rent Restrictions Acts, 1920 and 1923, has not yet been able to institute a prosecution, save in one case in London, in which the magistrate ordered the occupying tenant to repay the difference between the rent charged and the fair rent, and costs. The Director has received 53 complaints since the 1st January, 1925, and inquiry is proceeding in respect of five of such cases. The great majority of complaints have referred to lettings outside the penal provisions of the Statutes.