HC Deb 05 July 1993 vol 228 cc35-6W
Mr. Wareing

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what part the Office of Fair Trading has played in his investigations into issues raised with him about Inntrepreneur leases in the brewery industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

In considering whether any competition issues have been raised in the representations made to my Department about Inntrepreneur leases and related matters, my officials have worked closely with the Office of Fair Trading.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received from lessees of Inntrepreneur Estates complaining of the conditions of its tenancies; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

Since the beginning of the calendar year, my Department has received over 100 letters from, or on behalf of, Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. lessees.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with Sir Alan Sheppard, chairman of Grand Metropolitan plc, about Inntrepreneur leases in the brewery industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has had no discussions with Sir Allen Sheppard, chairman of Grand Metropolitan plc, about Inntrepreneur leases. Officials have met recently with Mr. R. G. Williams, chairman and managing director of Grand Metropolitan Estates Ltd., which administers the property portfolio of Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd., to discuss a number of specific issues relating to Inntrepreneur leases.

Mr. Wareing

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral answer of 23 June,Official Report, columns 293–94, what significant improvement has been achieved for the tenants of Inntrepreneur Estates as a result of his intervention; and what course of action he has urged upon such brewery companies.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

As I made clear in my answer to the hon. Member on 7 June at columns161–62, the negotiation of individual leases is a commercial matter for determination between landlords and tenants. Nevertheless, in 1991 Ministers did secure certain assurances from the national brewers about treatment of tenants when introducing changes to leasing arrangements. I believe that these assurances have had some effect in helping to smooth what has been a difficult period of transition for brewers and tenants. I am, for instance, aware that a number of tenants nearing retirement have been offered more flexible lease arrangements. It would be wrong, however, to have expected these assurances to resolve all commercial differences between a brewer and its tenant.

Back to