HC Deb 24 May 1911 vol 26 cc398-9W
Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the hardship which will be inflicted on small landlords who will be deprived of their rents by the operation of Clause 51 of the National Insurance Bill, it would be possible for the State to pay or to guarantee the rent payable by insured persons during the period in which the landlord's power to enforce payment is suspended?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I do not think Clause 51 will impose any burden which a humane landlord would not in any case voluntarily accept. Any loss imposed by it on a harsh landlord is likely only to be temporary. Moreover, landlords and other persons engaged in supplying commodities to the working classes are likely to find that their customers are better able to pay their bills when the whole income of the head of the household is not liable to be cut off by sickness.