§ [Nos. 8–11]
§ Clause 15, page 25, line 25, leave out from ("of") to ("shall") in line 27, and insert ("each period of ten years after the original term date the letting value at the expiration of that period")
§ Clause 15, page 25, line 30, leave out ("either") and insert ("each")
§ Clause 15, page 25, line 33, leave out ("by") and insert ("equally by the landlord and")
§ Clause 15, page 25, line 35, leave out ("of the twenty-five,") and insert ("year of any period of ten")
§ The Commons disagreed to these Amendments for the following Reason:—
§ Because a revision of a ground rent at intervals as short as 10 years is not in accordance with normal practice.
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, with the leave of the House, I beg to move that the House doth not insist on Amendments 8 to 11 inclusive to which the Commons have disagreed.
§ Moved, That this House doth not insist on Amendments Nos. 8 to 11 to which the Commons have disagreed.—(Lord Kennet.)
§ LORD BROOKE OF CUMNORMy Lords, this is a somewhat technical point. Here again I am afraid that I cannot accept the Reason given by the Commons. That Reason is:
Because a revision of a ground rent at intervals as short as 10 years is not in accordance with normal practice".It is not in accordance with normal practice that, when you have granted a lease, you should be compelled by Act of Parliament to extend that lease against your own will for up to 50 years. Here, again, we are dealing with an entirely new and unprecedented situation. The Government said that it would be sufficient if the ground rent for that period of 50 years could be assessed twice: once at the beginning, and once after 25 years, halfway during the term of the extension. Their choice of 25 years was entirely arbitrary, and it appeared to me, and to the majority of your Lordships, that it would be fairer if the ground rent were reassessed at intervals of ten years, rather than at intervals of 25 years. The Commons, however, have thought otherwise, and I must let it go, contenting myself with saying that the Commons' Reason cuts no ice at all.
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, I have noted the noble Lord's insistence time and again on this point of desiring to more than double the frequency of valuations in certain classes of house property. I have also noticed the insistence from many noble Lords that the profession of valuer is at the moment understaffed and overworked. The next time the latter point comes up I shall remember the noble Lord's remarks this evening.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.