§ Mr. WareingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the extent to which assurances given to him by Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. about its treatment of lessees since 1991 are being met; and what action he is taking to monitor compliance.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonThe assurances were given to Ministers in 1991 by all major brewers. They related to the sympathetic treatment of tenants who might have real difficulties in taking on a long-term lease, such as those nearing retirement, and to the introduction of independent arbitration procedures. None of the representations made to my Department has revealed that the assurances are not being met, but the Department has, where appropriate, sought IEL's comments on particular cases.
§ Mr. WareingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received about the activities of Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonMy officials and I have received a number of letters from, and on behalf of, Inntrepreneur lessees. My officials held a meeting with representatives of the National Association of Inntrepreneur Lessees (NAIL) on 23 September. As the hon. Member knows, following my meeting with him on 22 July, I met him again on 1 November, together with a representative of NAIL, to discuss these matters.
§ Mr. WareingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received expressing concern at the policies of Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. has within the brewing industry; what has been the thrust of such representations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonI refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 5 July 1993,Official Report, column 35. Since answering this question 54 letters have been received from, or on behalf of, Inntrepreneur lessees. In addition, as the hon. Member is aware, I met him and a representative of the National Association of Inntrepreneur Lessees earlier this month. These representations have mainly been about rent levels.
§ Mr. WareingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has held with Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd with a view to bringing about a meeting between them and representatives of the National Association of Inntrepreneur Lessees; and what response he has received.
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§ Mr. Neil HamiltonAs the hon. Member is aware from my letter to him of 22 November, I wrote to Mr. R. G. Williams, chairman and managing director of Grand Metropolitan Estates Ltd, which manages the property arm of Inntrepreneur Estates Limited, about the possibility of the company meeting representatives of the National Association of Intrepreneur Lessees.
Mr. Williams has explained that his company does not propose to meet NAIL, although it has met with individual IEL lessees and a legal representative of theirs. He also explained that the company will be initiating meetings with individual hon. Members who have expressed an interest in IEL matters.