§ 78. Sir William Davisonasked the hon. Member for Central Leeds, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, how many of the houses in Abingdon Street belonging to the Commissioners are unlet; for what period they have been unlet; what is the total loss of rent involved; and for what reason have steps not been taken to relet the vacant houses?
§ Mr. Denman (Second Church Estates Commissioner)The Ecclesiastical Commissioners own six houses in Abingdon Street, and all of these have been vacant for periods ranging from mid-July, 1936, to Lady Day last. The amount which would have been received in rent up to Christmas next had the lessees and tenants remained in occupation at the previous rents would have been £4,180. The property has not been relet because, as the site is not required for the King George Memorial, it is in process of redevelopment.
§ Sir W. DavisonIs it not very bad estate management, which to some extent will seriously affect the clergy, that a sum of £4,000 should have been wasted in this manner, especially as some of the tenants wished to remain on a quarterly, but were refused leave to do so, as long ago as March, 1936?
§ Mr. DenmanAn important site like Abingdon Street cannot be redeveloped in a few weeks or months.
§ Sir P. HarrisIs it not a fact that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners turned out some of these tenants who were willing to stay and who would have paid rent if allowed to stay?
§ Mr. DenmanThe leases came to an end or notice was given in accordance with the leases in order that we might obtain control over the site as a whole within a reasonable time.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonHas this property been sold, or is it going to be sold?
§ Mr. DenmanIt has not been sold, and I do not expect that it will be.