Rental increases for the courtyard societies

That this House notes with concern the increase in rent of approximately 3000% between 2012 and 2018, charged by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to the “courtyard societies” - the Geological Society of London, the Linnean Society, the Royal Astronomical Society, and the Society of Antiquaries; further notes that the Geological Society of London, founded in 1807, is the oldest geological society in the world and a world leader in earth sciences; that the Linnean Society was the setting for the launch of Darwin's theory of evolution, and that the courtyard societies continue to promote learning in the modern age; and calls on the Government to reverse the rent increases and offer long-term security to these societies as an investment in scientific endeavour and the betterment of humankind.