§ 22. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the difficulties caused to owner-occupiers of houses who have to give up their homes, in which they have lived all their lives and on which they have invested their life savings, at the expiration of the lease of the land; and if he will take steps to compel landowners to compensate these householders for the value of the property on the site at the time of the expiration.
§ Sir K. JosephA leaseholder is not an owner-occupier; he possesses simply the leasehold interest in a piece of land and in whatever building happens to be on it, whether erected by himself or a predecessor. At the expiration of the lease, he has the protection of the 1954 Act, and, moreover, he can usually get an offer of renewal or alternatively the chance to buy—unless the landowner is proposing redevelopment.
§ Mr. AwberyAm I to understand that a man who rents a piece of ground, builds a house upon it and lives in it for fifty or sixty years must, when the lease expires, vacate the land and the house, handing them over to the landowner? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is just and honourable for the owner-occupier to have to do that, while the landlord takes the property without making any contribution to the value of the land or the house?
§ Sir K. JosephFirstly, the occupant of the house does not by any means always have to vacate the house, as I have explained. Secondly, he is not the owner-occupier, as I have explained. Thirdly, it was on the basis of that bargain that he or his predecessor originally leased the land and took or built the house. However, I have undertaken to make a statement in due course.
§ Mr. AwberyWhat about the responsibility of the landlord?