§ 20. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Attorney-General whether he will set up a committee to inquire into the hardships caused to leaseholders on the completion of their tenancy by the landlord not only taking over the property and existing goodwill and business, but often of excessive dilapidations and charges which the tenant has been unable to make owing to war conditions.
§ 21. Lieutenant-Colonel Liptonasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the hardship suffered by lessees by reason of covenants relating to dilapidations and to non-compensation for improvements, he will consider the advisability of legislation to protect lessees.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Mr. King) on 20th December. The matter raises controversial issues, and with the heavy reconstruction programme in hand at present it is not now possible to consider legislation.
§ Mr. FreemanI asked the Attorney-General for an inquiry into these matters, not legislation. In view of the great hardship, would not an inquiry before legislation be desirable, particularly as landlords are now claiming an undue amount of costs for these houses—in some cases 83 years' purchase for a 20 years' lease still to run?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonMay I ask the learned Attorney-General whether he is prepared to consider further arguments, either in the form of a memorandum, or, if need be, by way of a deputation?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThis matter has been the subject of inquiry and review from time to time. I would certainly be prepared to consider any memorandum which the hon. and gallant Gentleman may care to send me.