25. Mr. HARVEYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the abnormal sum of £35,223 ground rent accrued due as at 10th October, 1932, and still unpaid by Regent Street lessees, he will take steps to deal effectively with the position of these traders?
§ Mr. ELLIOTOf the total sum of £35,223, approximately £33,700 is owing from the estate of a lessee who died last year, and the settlement of the Crown's claim is inevitably delayed pending the grant of probate. Steps are being taken to recover the comparatively small balance due from other lessees.
Mr. HARVEYIs it not possible for a committee of inquiry to be set up to study the position of these distressed tenants, because I can assure my right hon. Friend that some of them are very distressed?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman extend such an inquiry to all people who owe money to landlords?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe matter has been gone into repeatedly by the Commissioners of Crown Lands and others, and, as far as I see at present, there is no case for an inquiry such as the hon. Member suggests.
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am not sure whether my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the grievances or to the question.