WHITBREAD PLC AND THE RIGHTS OF PUB LESSEES

Early day motion 177, tabled 10 January 2001 by David Chaytor (Labour). Signed by 33 members.

That this House deplores the decision by Whitbread Plc to sell all of its 3,000 pubs to a sole bidder, thereby denying its 1,7000 pub lessees the right to buy the freehold on their premises; further notes that many lessees have invested very large sums in their pubs and in the process have contributed substantially to Whitbread's profits; recognises that these lessees now feel betrayed by the company's actions; supports their Right to Buy Campaign aimed at persuading the company to consider bids from individual lessees or groups of lessees; and calls on the Government to initiate an urgent review of the legal position of pub lessees in such situations.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 4, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 1.