§ 47. Mr. NEWMANasked whether the Prime Minister's attention has been called to the advertisement of sale of certain 1872 agricultural and cottage property in the vicinity of Woodstock, Oxfordshire; whether he is aware that it is stated that every holding is let at a rental far below its present-day value, and that, though many of the tenants have been in occupation for over twenty years, owing to the demand for property of this description in the neighbourhood purchasers will have no difficulty in properly adjusting the rental; and whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation forbidding landlords of property let at uneconomic rents from disposing of the same without Government sanction being first obtained?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have not had my attention called to the advertisement of sale otherwise than by the hon. Member's question. The answer to the last branch of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. NEWMANMay I ask the Prime Minister whether, if he had sent down, he could not have got the information quite easily?
§ 48. Mr. NEWMANasked whether the Prime Minister is aware that pecuniary loss and hardship is being caused to lessees of land and cottages by the breaking up of large estates; and whether he is in a position to avail himself of the Commission now investigating abuses in the ownership and letting of land to investigate the circumstances that eventuate from any change of ownership with a view to future legislation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis matter was fully considered by a Departmental Committee, presided over by Lord Haversham, which reported this year. The Report has been published. With regard to the last part of the question, as I have already stated, all relevant facts will be taken into consideration by the Government in framing any proposals which may ultimately be made.