§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) how many public houses in the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme have been offered for sale to the existing managers and tenants;
(2) how many persons and firms are at the moment engaged on work in connection with the disposal of the State Management Scheme, Carlisle;
(3) what difficulties and delays have been experienced by the firms at present investigating the sale of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme; and if he will make a statement;
(4) by what date he expects the first sale to commence of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme; and when he expects the final wind-up of the Scheme.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe sale of the Carlisle State Management properties is being entrusted to the following firms of agents, as announced by my noble Friend, Lord Windlesham, the Minister of State, in another place on 2nd July.—[OFFICIAL REPORT, c. 599.]:
For disposal of licensed premises and the brewery
- Messrs. Sidney and Graham Motion, of London.
- Messrs. Storey Sons and Parker, of Newcastle.
For disposal of the unlicensed properties
- Messrs. W. L. Tiffen and Sons and
- Messrs. Gibbings and Johnston of Carlisle.
No particular difficulties or delays have been experienced.
Most of the unlicensed premises have been offered to sitting tenants, and sales will begin shortly. It is expected that about forty of the smaller public houses will be offered to sitting tenants and managers before the end of the year.
315WMy right hon. Friend expects to be able to make an announcement on the method of sale of the remaining properties early next year. The process of sale is unlikely to be completed before the end of that year.
§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many consultations have taken place between his Department and all the employees of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme since 16th July, 1971.
§ Mr. CarlisleThere have been three discussions with staff representatives since 16th July, 1971.
§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many firms have made application to purchase the Carlisle brewery;
(2) if he will name the firms and persons that have so far expressed a willingness to be considered for any part of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme.
§ Mr. CarlisleI have nothing to add to the reply given to a Question by the hon. Members on 8th April.—[Vol. 815, c.321.]
§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if, in the sale of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme, he will ensure that the Carlisle Brew will still be available after disposal;
(2) if, at the end of the disposal of the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme, he will ensure that beer prices will not be increased for at least three years after disposal.
§ Mr. CarlisleIt is not possible for my right hon. Friend to give undertakings on these matters.