§ 61. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Marylebone Borough Council has been considering the offer of Lord Howard de Walden for the purchase of the freehold, or for a 999 years' lease, of Nos. 34, 35, 36, and 37, Aybrook Street, now held by the council on a lease expiring in May, 1961, at a ground rent of £176 a year; whether he is aware that the terms offered for the freehold were £10,000, or for a 999 years' lease the annual payment of £176 and a premium of £6,000, which offers were declined; and whether he will promote legislation in order to obtain for local authorities security of tenure of their premises on equitable terms?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I understand the facts to be as stated in my hon. Friend's question. I am afraid I can make no promise of legislation to the effect suggested.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSCannot the right hon. Gentleman see his way to introduce some legislation to give local authorities better terms than that—fifty-six years' purchase of the fee simple for property for public purposes?