§ 1. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources if he will introduce legislation to abolish the liability of tenants to pay a capital sum to extinguish their obligation to pay and collect ground rents at the request of the ground rent owner.
The Minister of Land and Natural Resources (Mr. Frederick Wiley)No, Sir. Where a tenant has the means to pay a capital sum to extinguish a small rent it is to the interest of all parties that this should be done. Where the continuing obligation to collect rents will impose hardship and a tenant cannot afford to redeem his share I have discretionary powers to apportion rents without enforcing the liability to redeem.
§ Mr. DavidsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that his Answer will give great satisfaction to many people in my constituency and throughout Lancashire? Will he, however, take steps to ensure that adequate publicity is given to this new interpretation, so that those tenants who have been unable to proceed with their applications through inability to pay the capital sum will now be able to reapply?
§ Mr. WilleyI am obliged to my hon. Friend. I will certainly try to attract the greatest publicity to what we are doing. I am sure that I can rely upon my hon. Friend's assistance.