§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the effect of the judgment in the ease of Ryall v. Kidwell and Son in. 1913; and, if so, whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to restore the landlord's liability so that any injured occupant of a house, instead of merely the actual tenant, may claim compensation for injuries which may arise out of neglect on the part of the landlord?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend is aware of the case referred to by my hon. Friend, which did not, as suggested, alter the existing law, but merely applied a well-recognised principle established by the House of Lords in an earlier decision In view of the ample machinery which exists for compelling a house owner, through the intervention of the local authority, to fulfil his statutory obligations, my right hon. Friend is not satisfied that the imposition of new obligations upon the owner towards strangers, with whom he has no contractual relationship. is either desirable or necessary.