§ 52. Mr. Pardoeasked the President of the Board of Trade what rental per foot is being asked for the empty Board of Trade factories in Cornwall; how this has been arrived at; and what rate of interest has been taken into account.
§ Mr. DarlingBoard of Trade factories are offered to applicants at a current market value rental to be negotiated with the District Valuer. The current market value is arrived at by the District Valuer by reference to the demand for and availability of comparable industrial property in the area in question. The Board does not aim in the rents charged to obtain any specific rate of return on capital expenditure.
§ 53. Mr. Pardoeasked the President of the Board of Trade how many inquiries he has received from industrialists about each of the empty Board of Trade factories in Cornwall; and why these inquiries did not lead to a successful letting.
§ Mr. DarlingNo record is available of the total number of inquiries about factories in particular areas. I understand however that during this year there were eight serious inquiries about the two uncommitted Board of Trade factories in Cornwall; where the companies have decided not to pursue their inquiries their reasons have varied.