§ 20. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has now received the fourth report on leasehold problems in Wales; and whether he will make a statement concerning the date of its publication.
§ Mr. RipponMy right hon. Friend is hoping to receive the fourth report this week. As to the second part of the Question, I cannot add to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member on 1st May.
§ Mr. ThomasI have a very heavy mail all the time from people who cannot decide whether to renew a lease because they are not aware of the Government's policy. Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the delay of the Government in making a statement on this question is adding to their hardship and is causing a great deal of personal trouble? Since the Prime Minister promised to take a personal interest in this question, may I have an assurance that we shall have an announcement of Government policy before Whitsun?
§ Mr. RipponWhat my right hon. Friend intends to do is to publish a summary of these four reports as soon 1135 as they are available. Thereafter, there will be a statement of Government policy.
§ Mr. ThomasCan the hon. Gentleman say how long we shall have to wait thereafter, since the evidence concerning the leasehold problem is not new by any means? The Government have always been aware of it.
§ Mr. RipponThe hon. Gentleman and the House will be better able to judge when they see the summary of the reports.