§ 2.55 p.m.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider introducing measures on a similar basis to the Leasehold Reform Act to prevent those who have held tenancies in their homes for a large number of years from having to vacate them because of the exorbitant prices they are asked to pay for long leaseholds or freeholds.
766§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of THE ENVIRONMENT (Lord Bellwin)My Lords, as I have responded to similar Questions from the noble Lord in the past, the Answer again has to be, No.
Lord JANNERMy Lords, would the noble Lord reconsider the position? Is he aware that the present situation is even worse than that which prevailed when the Leasehold Reform Act had to be passed? Is he aware that tenants now are not even being taken into consultation by landlords who hold the freehold when outside repairs need to be made? Will he see to it that he reconsiders the position from this point of view: the way things are going at present, thousands of people are being deprived of their homes, and if this continues you will have whole districts being deprived of their homes in the same way as when the leasehold system came to that particular pass which was bound to result in legislation being taken, the Leasehold Reform Act, to protect the tenants.
§ Lord BELLWINMy Lords, so far as requirements under the various tenancy Acts not being adhered to, if the noble Lord has any specific instances I shall be glad to look at them. As to the second part of his question, as to whether I am aware that whole districts are in danger of being taken over in the way that he suggests, I am not sure that that is something that I am aware of, most of all to that extent. I do not know of that. I know of the concern that exists, and it is a matter that the Government are thinking about, but it would be quite wrong of me to try to imply anything further than that at this moment in time. I can only say again with some regret that I fear that there is not more that I can say to the noble Lord to help him in this matter, which he raises regularly and which he is probably quite right so to do.
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that the original intentions of the Leasehold Enfranchisement Act were very drastically altered during the short Parliament of 1974 by the party of the noble Lord, to require the market price of the house to be charged at the end of the lease? Will he consider this so that the original 767 intention of the leasehold enfranchisement which had the support of all parties, could be adhered to, and those who have had leases, so-called trustee leases, of 50 years and over, will have the chance to remain in their houses for a modest amount?
§ Lord BELLWINMy Lords, to use an expression I have learned since I came to your Lordships' House and to another place, I hear what the noble Lord says and certainly will take note of it. That does not necessarily mean that that is the end of it, but of course this whole area is a very difficult one indeed, as I have said before. As your Lordships will no doubt have seen from a statement made by the Minister in another place only in the last week, there have been pronouncements as to what might be done to make certain modifications to the Leasehold Reform Act. That indicates, I am sure, that the matter is one which is under consideration all the time. If that does not go so far as the noble Lord would like me to do, I should have to repeat again that it is because it is under review the whole of the time.
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that up to this change people were able to buy the freehold of their houses for only a thousand or two pounds if they had been there a long time, whereas now others in the same street whose long leases are coming to an end are being asked £150,000? Does the noble Lord think that that is equitable?
§ Lord BELLWINAs I have said before, my Lords, this is a matter which is of considerable concern. I trust that it was of equal concern prior to 12 months ago when the previous Administration had the same problem with which to deal, though I do not know that they did anything about it. We have said, and we say again, that we are certainly looking at the matter.
Lord JANNERMy Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for saying that he is going to look at this matter, but will he speed it up? It took 15 years of looking at it before the Leasehold Reform Act was passed. Can he manage to do it within 15 days, 15 months, or some period like that?