§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce legislation to provide for a right to buy for publicans.
§ Mr. MaudeThe Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of beer recommended that a new brewers code of practice should be negotiated by the Director General of Fair Trading. This would require the brewers to incorporate a number of provisions into tenancy agreements and leases which contained any form of tie in respect of beer. One such provision would he that before the brewer/landlord disposes of any public house which has a licensee/tenant to a purchaser which is not itself a brewery company the brewer/landlord should give the tenant/licensee a reasonable opportunity of acquiring the premises at market value. My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State has said he is minded to accept the recommendations of the MMC report.