HC Deb 01 April 1941 vol 370 c852
38. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications have been received from lessees of Crown property for a temporary reduction or waiver of ground rent in the case of bombed premises; and whether any relief has been given to such lessees?

Mr. T. Williams

In these ground-rent cases the Commissioners of Crown Lands have received 180 applications, 150 of which have already been dealt with. They have granted relief in 63 of the 150 cases, either in very special circumstances by temporarily reducing or cancelling the ground rent or by allowing arrears to be paid in monthly instalments when, as in most instances, there was merely a temporary cash difficulty in settling them fully at once.

Mr. Bellenger

Is this a temporary reduction for the period of the war, or only for a short period?

Mr. Williams

I assume that the reductions are strictly in accordance with the conditions in each case.

Mr. R. Gibson

From what proportion of the lessees have these applications been received?