sentences:  McAlister won the seat by 1,360 votes, although on polling day the Labour agent complained that one woman helping their campaign was threatened with eviction by her landlord unless she stopped the use of her rented home as committee rooms for one polling station.On 17 April 1958, McAlister made her maiden speech opposing the Rent Act.She was not a frequent speaker in Parliament, concentrating on constituency problems; during debate on the 1959 budget, she called for lowering of purchase tax on bedding and furnishings rather than refrigerators and washing machines.