§ Mr. SITCHasked the Minister of Health if he will consider the advisability of recommending an amendment of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, with the view to requiring owners of house property to reduce their demands upon tenants to a precisely similar amount in the event, whether contingent or remote, of local authorities finding themselves in the position to reduce the rates in their localities?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo amendment of the Act appears to be necessary. The amount by which rent may be increased on account of an increase in the rates payable by the landlord is not to exceed the increase in the sum for the time being payable by the landlord in respect of rates as compared with 1914. Hence, if the rent is increased on account of an increase of rates and the rates are reduced in a subsequent rating period the rent must be correspondingly reduced.