§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and industry if he will make it his policy to establish a charter of rights for public house tenants faced with demands by breweries for rent increases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and have recently met each of the major brewers to urge them to adopt best practices in dealings with their tenants. As a result, those brewers not already doing so have introduced procedures for the independent arbitration or assessment of rent in cases where agreement cannot be reached in individual negotiations with their tenants. All the major brewers have also accepted the need to show flexibility to tenants who would have real difficulties in taking on a long-term lease and, within this category, to show special consideration to those nearing retirement. We shall continue to monitor closely negotiations between brewers and their tenants.