HC Deb 05 November 1940 vol 365 cc1234-5W
Mr. Parker

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that many people have been asked for rent when they have been ordered out of their homes on account of time bombs or have left because their homes are uninhabitable; and what action he is taking to deal with this problem?

The Attorney-General

For cases in which houses have been rendered uninhabitable by reason of war damage I would refer my hon. Friend to the Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act, 1939, the provisions of which enable a tenant whose house has been rendered unfit by war damage to serve on his landlord a notice disclaiming the lease. These provisions do not apply to the case where a time bomb has compelled the tenant to evacuate his premises temporarily. On the other hand, the hon. Member will be aware that tenants under short weekly or monthly tenancies can always put an end to their tenancies by giving the usual notice to terminate. The question whether further legislation is needed will be considered by the Government.

Mr. Parker

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that many building societies are asking mortgagees to continue payments when their houses have become uninhabitable and/or when the mortgagees have evacuated to safer areas; and what action he is taking to deal with this question?

The Attorney-General

I assume that the Question relates to Mortgagors. Although my information is that there is a general disposition on the part of the majority of building societies to give sympathetic treatment to mortgagors in the class of case to which the question relates, the question of further legislation on the subject is under consideration by the Government.

Sir R. Tasker

asked the Minister of Health, will he consider the desirability of introducing a measure to protect weekly tenants from landlords who demand rent after the tenement has been rendered uninhabitable by enemy action, and making it retrospective?

The Attorney-General

The Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act, 1939, enables a tenant whose house has been rendered unfit by war damage, to serve a notice disclaiming his lease. A weekly tenant can always avoid liability for future rent by giving a week's notice. The Government will be ready to consider representations if it is felt that the present position is unsatisfactory.