§ Mr. LINFIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to a case of a man and his wife and nine children who were evicted from a house on the Air Ministry estate at Shortstown on account of arrears of rent; whether he is aware that the rent charged is 15s. 6d. per week, and that there are between 50 and 60 empty houses on the estate; and whether be intends to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. LEACHThe facts are substantially as stated. In June, 1923, the tenant in question was in arrears with his rent to the amount of about £15 and the Bedfordshire County Court made an order on 6th June for possession, not to be enforced so long as payment was made of the current rent and 6d. a week towards the arrears. Only very occasional 1331W payments were made under this order, and the arrears increased to The County Court on 5th December granted leave to issue a warrant for possession, but in view of the proximity of Christmas execution of the warrant was deferred until 11th January. As regards the vacant houses, the policy regarding the future of Cardington is at present under consideration, and I regret until a decision is reached no action can be taken with a view to their occupation.