HC Deb 03 December 1963 vol 685 cc980-1
Q10. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to enact that peers renouncing their titles should at the same time renounce estates granted them by the Crown.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. If by any chance die hon. Gentleman is referring to me, the last contact on these matters I had with the Crown was with the wife of James IV in 1435, when I became her tenant.

Mr. Hughes

Will the Prime Minister tell us whether he still retains the land resulting from this transaction? Is he aware that there is a precedent in the case of the Earl of Ross, who not only gave up his earldom but gave up his land as well? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that legislation of this kind would be useful as a deterrent to Lord Salisbury's coming here?

The Prime Minister

I should doubt whether there was any temptation to the noble Marquess to come here but, for myself, I must have been a good tenant for all these years, and fulfilled the 1947 and 1957 Acts, because I have never been evicted by the Crown.

Mr. W. Hamilton

Can the Prime Minister say how many acres he owns by virtue of that experience, and what is the rent income from them?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I doubt whether it would profit either the hon. Gentleman or myself to put down Questions about our private affairs.

Mr. P. Williams

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are a great number of us on this side who are quite satisfied with his tenancy of his present position?