§ Sir J. BETHELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is with the knowledge or consent of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster that a writ for arrears of rent and possession has been issued by the Attorney-General of the Duchy on behalf of His Majesty against trustees who have advanced £19,000 upon the security of a Duchy lease of the Savoy Mansions, which lease is now vested in them; whether he is aware that the trustees have stated that they were unable to pay the arrears of rent by reason of the premises having been commandeered since September, 1917, by His Majesty's Office of Works under the Defence of the Realm Act without any payment for rent or compensation; whether these facts were well known to the advisers of the Duchy before the issue of the writ; whether the advisers of the Duchy have stated in Court that they will claim that no relief against forfeiture of the lease or by way of giving time can or should be granted; and whether, in view of the hardship occasioned to the trustees by this action of the Office of Works and of the Attorney-General of the Duchy, a full inquiry will be made into the circumstances and these proceedings will be terminated?
Mr. DUDLEY WARDThe Chancellor of the Duchy is aware that an action was brought by the Attorney-General of the 1883W Duchy against the assignees of a lease of the Savoy Mansions for the payment of ground rent which is in arrear from the 25th March, 1917, and for possession of the premises, and that the premises have been commandeered by His Majesty's Office of Works since September, 1917. He has been informed by the tenants that they have received no compensation. The granting of relief is entirely a matter for the discretion of the Court, and I under stand the question of such relief is now Milder the consideration of the Court.