§ Mr. Parkinasked the hon. Member for Dover, as Second Church Estates Commissioner, what investigations have been made regarding recent letters sent by solicitors acting for the Church Commissioners of England; what action has been taken; and if he will publish in HANSARD a summary of a code of practice to be observed by solicitors and managers acting for the Church Estates Commissioners, particularly in regard to security of tenure and the offering of alternative accommodation.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe Commissioners have investigated fully the circumstances in which formal letters were sent by solicitors acting for them to sub-tenants of two houses in Maida Vale.
The problem arises when the absentee head-lessee has to be evicted for breaches of his covenant and/or failure adequately to look after the property. The law provides that all lower tenancies are thereby destroyed with his lease, unless protected by Statute or granted relief by the Court.
It was in these circumstances that the letters in question were written. They should have been accompanied by informal covering letters, offering to discuss how best the sub-tenants' personal problems could be met. For this omission the Commissioners have already apologised to the sub-tenants and offered to pay their legal costs where incurred.
It is never the Commissioners' policy to evict sub-tenants who fulfill their obligations. No such sub-tenant is turned out, against his will when hardship would be involved, without the offer of alternative accommodation. This represents the policy of the Church Commissioners 86W of which those acting for them are fully aware.
The Commissioners are grateful to the hon. Member for Paddington, North for drawing attention to a shortcoming in this instance in their administration, and welcome the opportunity of re-stating their policy.