§ Mr. LUMLEYasked the Minister of Health when he will be in a position to 1876W announce the policy of the Government on the extension of the Rent Restrictions Act?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet in a position to say when an announcement will be made on the subject in question.
§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health if he has received a letter of protest from the Birmingham and District Tenants' Federation in connection with the Rent Restrictions Act, 1923; if he is aware that 36,000 families in Birmingham require house accommodation: and whether the Government have decided to renew the Act?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have received the letter to which the hon. Member refers. I am aware that there is still a large unsatisfied need for houses in Birmingham, but I must not be taken as accepting the particular figure stated by the hon. Member. With regard to the question of the continuance of the Rent Restriction Act, I may draw the attention of the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Mosley) on the 17th ultimo.