§ Sir W. SUGDENasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that tenants on the Crown estate in Regent Street, London, have been compelled to pay large fees to certain architects for approving the design of the facades; and if he has any information as to the total amount of fees charged to the tenants for this purpose?
Mr. GUINNESSMy hon. Friend's question appears to be based on a misapprehension. In the case of certain blocks in Regent Street which have been rebuilt in sections by more than one lessee, the architect employed to design the first section has prepared an elevation for the whole front, and in negotiating lettings of the other sections the Commissioners of Crown Lands have arranged for the lessees to pay a fair charge to the original architect for copies of so much of the approved design as was necessary to enable them to carry out their sections of the rebuilding. I regret that I have not the information asked for in the last part of the question.