Payment for
Socialist Republic1978Housing, rents and local campaignsInternment, repression and the courtsNorman ShannonHousing, rents and local campaignsInternment, repression and the courts
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In 1971, following the introductio of internment,a large sectionagy money is deducted by the of the population with-held payment of rents and rates as a protest. The response of the Northern Ireland Government at Stormont was fast and within two months « j;iece ef temporary emergency legislation was passed - The Payment for Debt (Rorgency Provisions) Act (NI) 1971. Despite the fact that the rent: and rates strike has been over for some considerable time, the temporary Act still remains.
I. 1976 it was extended by tae Labour Government at Westminster to cover anvone who owed more than £20 rent or rates. The Act applics only in Northern Ireland. People in Northern Ireland do owe rent and rates but no more than necple in Great Britain dc. Now the Act is to be extended again following a debace in Westminster. Shortly it is to be used against those who cannot pay their gas In Northern Ireland unemployment. averages at 12% of the working popiilation. Wages are lower than in Great Britain. According to a Child Poverty Action Group survey one third of the population are below tke poverty line. According to a Northern Ireland Housing Executive survey one fifth of the houses are unfit for human habitation. Coal is dearer. Gas is dearer. Food is generally dearer.
gineering consultants have said that it is possible Debts Act Under the Payment for Debts Benefit Allocation Branch at Stormont from those recieving benefits. Those already on the poverty line have rent deducted together with arrears and a further 50p. collection charge. They lose their entitlement to rent rebate and almost always are refused Exceptional Needs Grants. Naturally greater poverty ensues.
Those working are not exempt. An order can be made to take pubaic debts due by employees straight from their wage packets before they have even been paid, and without the debt having been adjudicated on by any Court.
Many more criticisms can be made against this Act. If you feel that this repression m ould not be increased please inform your M.P. before the forthcoming debate or raise the issue in your Union or Community Group or other interest group. The Act as it is causes almost unendurable hardship. It is to be extended. This will allow people less money than is necessary for survival. Is this inhufhan or degrading treatment or punishment or torture?
Yours Faithfully PAIDRIGNAN DRINAN The British plan a They plan to call Star witness will be Rawlinson -