§ 68. Colonel Sir ARTHUR HOLBROOKasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, the estimated value of the old post office premises at Carlisle; the rental paid for these premises when wholly occupied by the State management; whether any portion of the premises are now used by the State management, and at what rental; whether the Post Office Department also own the Lowther Hall adjoining, and with which a connection was effected; and, if so, the value of these premises and the rental paid for them by the State management during their occupation?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Vivian Henderson)As this question does not concern the Office of Works, I am replying on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which was given in reply to a similar question by him on 21st February, 1923, to the effect that, while these premises were at the disposal of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), credit was taken in the Post Office commercial accounts for the value of the premises, which was estimated at £285 per annum. That arrangement terminated in 1924, when the freehold of the entire premises, including what is now known as the Lowther Hall, was purchased from the Postmaster-General, and a portion of the premises, set free by concentration of the accommodation used for restaurant purposes, was sold. No charge for annual rental has been made in the State Management accounts since the acquisition of the freehold of the premises.
§ Colonel DAYWhat is the amount paid for the freehold?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONI could not possibly say without notice.