To ask the Minister for Home Affairs if he is aware that many householders are receiving Notices to Quit because of their unwillingness to pay the full 40 per cent. increase in excess of standard rents allowed under the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, in some cases, because such householders have been paying the increase of 15 per cent. allowed under the Decree of the Second Dáil of the year 1920, and in other cases because of assurances given in this Dáil that this matter will receive early attention? If he will state when the Bill promised by him, dealing with this matter, will be brought before the Oireachtas? And if, in view of the injustice of the present position, he is prepared to state that such Bill, if and when passed by the Oireachtas, will be made retrospective as from a given date.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - HOUSE RENTS.
I was not aware that such Notices to Quit were being received by many householders. The operation of the Rent and Mortgage (Restrictions) Act, 1920, has, however, been receiving my attention for some time, and at the moment a Committee is in process of formation to advise whether the Act should be continued, and if so with what modifications. When this Committee reports, and I do not see any reason why its work should not be completed in a comparatively short time, I hope to introduce a suitable Bill. In the meantime I am not prepared to anticipate such report by stating whether the measure to be introduced should be made retrospective as from a given date.