Mr. T. WILSONasked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the practice which exists in Lancashire of builders and others erecting dwelling—houses and selling them out by way of lease for terms of over 900 years to purchasers at prices ranging according to the size of the house from £150 to £200, subject to a ground—rent of £2 to £2 10s. per house per annum; if he is aware that, according to the decisim of Mr. Justice Younger in Rees v. Marquess of Bute, transactions such as the above are unlawful under the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915; whether he is aware that under the Courts (Emergency Powers) (No. 2) Act, 1916, application has to be made to the County Court for an order to sanction the above transaction at a cost of about £3; and, seeing that the Act of 1915 was not intended to apply to transactions such as the above, and that Mr. Justice Younger's decision is preventing the bond fide sale of small houses, will he introduce an amending Bill providing that the Act of 1915 does not apply to the bond fide sale of small houses under conditions as described above?
§ Sir FREDERICK SMITHI am aware of the practice referred to in the question and of the decision in the case of Rees v. Marquess of Bute. I have not heard that the provisions contained in the Statute under which owners of property of a certain class are prevented from requiring a fine or premium in consideration of a lease of the property unless the sanction of the Court has been obtained have interfered with thebond fide sale of small houses; but if the hon. Member has any information to that effect I shall be glad to consider it.