§ 25 and 26. Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Health (1) whether, in view of the fact that the vendor paid £8,000 for the Royal Stuart Hotel, Earl's Court, and that the Moorfield's Eye Hospital purchased the lease of this property for a total of £81,000, he will investigate the manner in which the latter purchase was made;
(2) whether, in view of the fact that the vendor paid £5,000 for the Constance Hotel, Lancaster Gate, and that the Middlesex Hospital purchased this property for a total of £40,000, he will investigate the manner in which the latter purchase was made.
§ Mr. BevanNo, Sir. The respective figures are not directly comparable. The prices paid were negotiated and agreed by the district valuer and included the purchase of the leasehold and furnishings, and in the case of the Constance Hotel, the freehold.
§ Mr. PiratinCan the Minister give us the details of the opinion of the district valuer on the value of the furnishings, so that we may have some idea of the actual profits gained by the vendor of this property?
§ Mr. BevanIt is not usual when a valuation has been made by the district valuer to give each detail of the value he has attached to every item. We usually have confidence in the district valuer. If there is any reason why we should not repose that confidence in this case I would like to have the evidence.