§ 35. Mr. M. Stewartasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what consideration he has given to the communication he has received from the hon. Member for Fulham concerning the policy pursued by the ground landlord of property in Fulham Perk Gardens, S.W.6.
§ Sir K. JosephI have today replied to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. StewartWill the right hon. Gentleman take note of the fact that in this case the ground landlord was offering to sell the freehold to the leaseholder only on condition that the leaseholder had not let any of the premises? Since that conflicts with the Government's policy of trying to bring more private rented property on to the market, does not the Minister agree that this is an additional argument for legislation to enable leaseholders to obtain freeholds without conditions of this kind?
§ Sir K. JosephNo. This question of enfranchisement is a very large one. In this case the lessee does not have to buy the freehold. He has the protection of the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1954, if his lease is near its end.