§ 77. Mr. TAYLORasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the sale price of the houses on the St. Giles's Estate, Lincoln, sold by his Department to a private company in 1925, was determined by an assessment of the value of each individual house, or whether the estate was sold as a whole; and if he can state what was the total number of houses, the total area of land, the total price paid for the estate, and the current rents of these houses?
§ Captain HACKING (for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS)The Lincoln estate was sold, as a whole, with five other estates, and of the total price a sum of £62,500 was afterwards allocated to the Lincoln estate. The total number of houses on the estate was 196, the area of the land approximately 17 acres, and the rents at the time of sale were 11s. 6d. and 12s. a week exclusive of rates and taxes.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that these houses which were bought at an average price of £312 10s. each, are now being offered for sale at £500 each; that the tenants have all been served with notices increasing their rents which are already 995 2s. higher than the municipal houses on the same estate; and whether he has any power to take any steps in this matter?
§ Captain HACKINGNo, Sir. The hon. Member has already been told that the estate was sold subject to the tenancies and to the rights and claims of the tenants by Statute or otherwise.
§ Mr. TAYLORI am asking the hon. and gallant Gentleman whether his Department has any power?
§ Captain HACKINGNo, Sir. I do not think they have any power. The tenant has the solution in his own hands. He has his right by Statute.
§ Mr. TAYLORIn view of this ruthless exploitation of the tenants by private enterprise, will the hon. and gallant Member take some step—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]