§ 32. Colonel Sir H. NORRISasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that his own wishes that the Crown should set an example to other landlords are being openly disregarded by the Office of Woods and Forests when the Crown leases of the Regent Street shops fall in, and the utmost rent is being exacted from the tenants who have built up their goodwill; and whether he will now state the method and time of his proposed examination into the conduct of that Office?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am informed that in estimating the amount of rent to be paid to the Crown on the renewal of leases of shops in Regent Street nothing is added for goodwill or other circumstances that might result in a tenant paying more than the fair value of the premises The rent charged is in every case that which it is estimated could be readily obtained in the open market without reference to the type of business that might be carried on. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on the 8th November to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham.
Dr. MURRAYWould it not be a good way to indicate to this Board the views of the Government if the right hon. Gentleman sent a copy of the speech he delivered on this subject at Lime house?