§ 2.48 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether further steps are being considered to encourage developers to let new office blocks in the City centres.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STA 1E, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (BARONESS YOUNG)My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is not aware that developers in general need any encouragement to let new office blocks in the City centre. As your Lordships know, a few large office buildings outside the City have remained unoccupied for a considerable time and my right honourable friend expects shortly to announce measures which should encourage the letting of these buildings.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Is she aware that many people concerned in property development deplore the present unhealthy practice of a minority which casts a slur on property development generally? Can my noble friend say what general proposals the Government may have in mind regarding this matter?
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, I am quite sure that my noble friend Lord Kinnoull has expressed a point of view shared by a great many members of the public; that is, the growing concern about 531 unoccupied office blocks. My right honourable friend has today issued a White Paper on housing, a statement which indicates that local authorities will be given powers to charge up to a 100 per cent. rating on empty properties.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, why have the Government tolerated for so many years the insistence of some of these developers upon letting these blocks as a whole? Could not steps be taken to allow for partial letting of the blocks to relieve the present congestion in office accommodation?
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, my understanding is that they have no powers to insist on office blocks being let either to one tenant or to several tenants.