§ Sir C. Edwardsasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the complaints about a company who go about buying up leaseholds; that after the transaction is completed a surveyor is sent to examine the premises and a fee of £3 3s. or £4 4s. is demanded to defray the cost; that a preposterous schedule of dilapidations needing repairs is sent on with a demand that these should be attended to at once, and if the owner of the house is unable to meet this expense he is threatened with the forfeiture of the lease or, alternatively, is offered the purchase of the lease at a greatly enhanced figure of 30 to 40 or in some cases 50 years' purchase, notwithstanding the fact that these leases were secured on a 20 years' purchase or less; whether he will use his present powers to deal with and prevent this exploitation; and, if necessary, will he take steps to secure further powers?
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§ The Attorney-GeneralI am not aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers. As I stated on the 1st June in reply to a similar question, if the hon. Member will supply me with any evidence in his possession my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor will consider it with other cases which have been brought to his notice.
§ Sir C. Edwardsasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the company buying up leases on working-class houses is styled the National Real Estate and Financial Company, Limited, 272, Clapham Road, Stockwell, S.W.9; whether he will inquire to what extent this company is composed of aliens and make a statement on the subject?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have no information with regard to the Company to which the hon. Member refers, and I therefore can make no statement on the subject.