HC Deb 16 May 1984 vol 60 cc344-5
2. Mr. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to give a right to holders of long leases to convert their interest into that of full ownership.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Michael Ancram)

My right hon. Friend has no present plans to do so.

Mr. Wilson

Will the Minister try to forget that he is the son and heir of a member of the landed aristocracy? Will he condemn unhesitatingly the inhuman and unconscionable acts of the Earl of Seafield in his attempts to evict elderly tenants occupying houses under long leases which are now about to expire? Does he realise that in Scotland there is no legislation to allow such tenants to convert their tenancies into full ownership, and will he take early action to persuade his right hon. Friend that immediate action is required unless—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member has asked a number of questions.

Mr. Ancram

I shall deal with some of the hon. Gentleman's questions. I expressed earlier my sympathy for the conditions in which a number of tenants of the Seafield estate find themselves. Plainly, it is a matter of anxiety for the Government, but it is strictly an issue between the landlord and the tenant. It is not one in which the Government can intervene directly. I remind the hon. Gentleman, who reminded me of my background, that he is a lawyer, and in the legislation that he proposed he was effectively suggesting expropriation without compensation, which is contrary to the principles of law in Scotland.

Mr. Bill Walker

Does my hon. Friend agree that in my constituency there are a substantial number of leases of the type which the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. Wilson) is trying to convert? Is he aware that the Scottish Law Society and others have for some time been trying to find suitable legislation that would alter that position, and that the matter is being pursued actively at the moment?

Mr. Ancram

I am glad that my hon. Friend has raised the subject of leases in his constituency. They are slightly different, because they are perpetually renewable. Certain problems exist with regard to them, because in many cases the landowners are not known. It is a matter that we are considering, because legislation may well be required. At the time of the Long Leases (Scotland) Act 1954 there were some 600 Seafield long leases. There are now fewer than 40, so many of them have been converted in the intervening period.

Mr. Ron Brown

Through his considerable influence, will the Minister ensure that Robb's lease is not disposed of by British Shipbuilders at the expense of the local community? Will he ask Graham Day to come clean about the latest bid and ensure that shipbuilding continues on the River Forth? It is important. It involves a lease and the law of Scotland. When will the Government spell it out?

Mr. Ancram

I was not aware that Robb's lease was a long lease in the terms of the law of Scotland, and therefore I do not think that that question arises from this question.