HC Deb 05 February 1963 vol 671 cc224-5
21. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs in what circumstances a letter of 6th July, 1961, addressed by the honourable Member for Cardiff, South-East, to Western Ground Rents Ltd., has been received by him in his official capacity; and for what purpose he has received it.

Sir K. Joseph

A copy of the letter was sent to the Lord Chancellor on 11th July, 1961, by a director of Western Ground Rents Ltd., who thought that the information furnished in reply would be of interest to Ministers. A further copy was sent to me with the same object on 3rd December, 1962.

Mr. Callaghan

May I take it that the Minister did not ask for this correspondence?

Sir K. Joseph indicated assent.

Mr. Callaghan

While I am glad to have that assurance, is it not very highhanded of Western Ground Rents to send correspondence which I have with it to Ministers and to the Lord Chancellor without seeking my permission or getting my consent? What confidence can we have in a company which behaves in this high-handed way?

Mr. Speaker

I do not think that the Minister can be asked to express a view about the conduct of a company, but the rest of it is all right.

Sir K. Joseph

I was only going to confirm that I did not in any way ask for this correspondence.

Mr. Callaghan

Did the Minister have any more satisfactory replies to his questions than I had? Does he think that the policy of Western Ground Rents in relation to the sale of its freeholds is satisfactory?

Sir K. Joseph

That is quite another question.

Mr. G. Thomas

Remembering that correspondence which I had with this firm was given to an hon. Member opposite and read out in the House in our last debate on this subject, can the Minister tell me whether he has had any of my recent letters to Western Ground Rents, and, if he has those letters, whether he does not agree that the harsh tone which I adopted in them was well deserved?

Sir K. Joseph

I have not been privileged with the sight of that correspondence, but I am glad to say that the two letters which I have seen and to which the Question refers were both conducted in very courteous and clear tones.

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