§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the environment if he will study the recent case of Tandon v. Trustees of Spurgeons Houses, decided in the House of Lords, and its definition of the meaning of "house"; and whether he hs any proposal to introduce amending legislation to clarify the position of flats above shops in respect of eligibility for enfranchisement under the Leasehold Reform Act.
§ Mr. StanleyI have studied their Lordships' decision in this case, which concerns one of the qualifying conditions for enfranchisement under the Leasehold Reform Act. The decision has clarified the definition of the term "house", in section 2(1) of the Act and I see no need for any amendment of that definition at the present time. The decision does not affect the position of separate flats above shops, which are not eligible for enfranchisement as individual units.