§ Mr. TAYLORasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, before he sold 200 houses on the Wragby Road Estate, Lincoln, for an average price of £312 10s. per house to Provincial Garden Cities, Limited, any opportunity was given to the Lincoln City Council or to the tenants to purchase these houses at £312 10s. or any price under £400; and whether he is aware that these houses are now being re-sold to the tenants at approximately £500?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONAs regards the first part of the question, the price at which the Wragby Road Estate was sold is practically correct. It was understood from previous negotiations that the Lincoln City Council did not wish to 2041W purchase the property; and as regards the sale price of individual houses, the Department is fully aware that for such occasional sales of houses with possession a much higher average price can be obtained than for the sale of a whole estate, with the attendant risks and costs of management.