HC Deb 14 February 1966 vol 724 cc916-7
35. Mr. Drayson

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his proposal to raise the rents of farms administered by his Department in the Whitewell and Bow-land districts of Yorkshire; and what percentage of the existing rents the increase will represent.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Douglas Houghton)

No, Sir, not while my proposals to the tenants concerned are under negotiation. If the hon. Gentleman has any particular case or cases he would like to discuss with me, I am at his disposal.

Mr. Drayson

Can the Minister confirm that some of the increases in rent which he is proposing amount to 30 per cent. of 33 per cent.? Does not he consider that these are very great increases, especially in view of the Government's prices and incomes policy? Can he tell me whether he has discussed these proposed increases in farm rents—some of which will rise from £600 to over £800—with the Minister of Agriculture, so that he can take them into account when fixing prices in the forthcoming Price Review?

Mr. Houghton

That is not the only test that I have to apply in determining a fair rent. In 1949 Duchy farm rents were roughly at the same level, in money terms—not real terms—as in 1870. Since then they have risen, on average, by about 3 per cent. per annum. But I am quite ready to discuss with the hon. Gentleman any specific cases, if he will see me.

36. Mr. Drayson

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, before the increase in rents are imposed on farms administered by the Duchy of Lancaster in the Whitewell and Bowland area of Yorkshire, he will submit such proposed increases to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Mr. Houghton

No, Sir.

Mr. Drayson

Why not?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Houghton

The hon. Member asked me whether I would. I said, "No, Sir".

Hon. Members

Why not?

Mr. Prior

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's Answer make absolute nonsense of what his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture has said in the last few weeks about rent control on farms? Will the right hon. Gentleman talk to the Minister of Agriculture and try to get some sense into him?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I understood that the Minister was not answering.

Sir K. Joseph

The right hon. Gentleman honours the House fairly rarely with his presence at Question Time. Surely he should not be so mean in his reply to my hon. Friend. It is not enough just to say "No". He is being asked why not, and the House hopes that he will answer.

Mr. Houghton

Because, in the first instance, I offered all the tenants the opportunity of having an independent valuation at Duchy expense. If there is still no agreement, it is open to the tenant concerned to take advantage of the Agricultural Holdings Act of 1948, which enables a fair rent to be determined by arbitration.

Mr. William Hamilton

Can my right hon. Friend tell the House where these rents go and whether the landowner is hard up?