§ Mr. BUXTONasked the Postmaster-General what price his Department is paying for the acre of ground in the near neighbourhood of Cadogan Square, Chelsea, purchased from the Hans Place and Cadogan Syndicate (No. 3), Limited; how many industrial tenants are living on the land; whether all or any of them are protected tenants; whether they have received an assurance that they will not be turned out of their homes unless and until alternative accommodation has been provided for them under the Housing Acts; whether these houses are in the meantime in good sanitary condition; and whether this transaction is in any way contingent upon the repeal of the Rent Restriction Act?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have no knowledge of the syndicate 33W mentioned, but I have entered into a contract to acquire about half an acre of land fronting on Draycott Avenue, Chelsea, for telephone purposes. It would not, however, be in the public interest to disclose the amount of the purchase price. I have agreed to purchase the property in question subject to the existing tenancies of the six cottages, Nos. 3–13, in Green Street, but otherwise with vacant possession. These six cottages are understood to be the only premises on the site which are protected by the Rent Restrictions Acts and, so far as can be foreseen at present, it will be unnecessary to disturb the tenants for some years to come. I have no direct information as to the sanitation of the houses on the site, but I understand that they are generally in inferior condition. I have no knowledge of the arrangements which the vendors are making with the remaining tenants, who are understood to be unprotected.