§ 73. Lieut.-Colonel Hydeasked the Minister of Supply how many Government-owned factories are now occupied by industrial concerns; how many of these are occupied as tenants-at-will; and what is the average time which elapses between the commencement of the occupation and the execution of the relative lease.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussSo far as my Department is concerned, 286 factories, either owned or in course of acquisition by the Ministry of Supply, are now occupied by industrial concerns under lease or agreement to lease. In 196 of these cases the lease has not yet been executed. The average time taken for execution of leases in the remaining 90 cases has been 21 months. The completion of the formal agreement in no way jeopardises the position of the tenant, and the delay is normally due to factors outside the control of my Department.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HydeIs the Minister aware that several factories have been waiting for four years for the execution of their leases, and will he do something to expedite the matter?
§ Mr. StraussWe do everything we can. I think that the factory which the hon. and gallant Member has in mind has been the subject of negotiation with the Northern Ireland Ministry of Finance. The difficulty is the question of our possessing the title to these factories.