§ Mr. Byersasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that such high rents and premiums are being demanded for office accommodation as to jeopardise the livelihood of small business; and what steps he proposes to take to control these prices and eliminate the premiums.
§ Mr. BelcherOur attention has been drawn to certain cases where high rents and premiums are being asked for office accommodation. The difficulties experienced by tenants when seeking to renew leases or obtain alternative accommodation are not, on our present information, confined to businesses of any particular class or size. We have no power to control the rents and premiums charged for office accommodation.