asked the Minister for Finance the number of the ground rents payable by him in respect of premises occupied by Government Departments purchased since June 1977; the premises concerned and the amount paid in each case; and the total number expressed as a percentage of the total number of ground rents payable by the Government.

The total number of ground rents payable in respect of premises occupied by Government Departments purchased since June 1977 is two. The names of the premises concerned and the amounts paid per annum in each case are as follows:

These two rents represent 0.54% of the 369 ground rents payable by the Government.

Could the Minister of State indicate whether it is the Government's policy to insist on the freehold in respect of all premises which they purchase?

It is regarded as desirable to purchase these rents but to do so can involve much research, negotiation and legal process. It will necessarily take a considerable number of years to eliminate all those ground rents.

Could the Minister of State say whether negotiations are in progress to buy out the ground rent of the two properties that he identified in his answer to the question?

We have not started them yet.

Would the Minister of State agree that it is not very consoling to other people who are trying to buy out their ground rents if his Department have not even started to think of buying out two ground rents in relation to properties that they have bought since 1977?

We are moving into the field of debate now.