HC Deb 03 June 1942 vol 380 cc650-1
70. Sir Henry Morris-Jones

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings, whether it is still the intention of his Department to construct a building on good agricultural land, for the purpose of offices for the Ministry of Food in a town specified to him?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings (Mr. Hicks)

It is proposed to commence building work as soon as labour can be made available. As stated in my reply on 19th May, the site has been selected after consultation with the local land Commissioner of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Sir H. Morris-Jones

Does the Minister think that it is a form of national economy to use labour and materials to erect a building now for the Ministry of Food in Colwyn Bay, when there are buildings available in the town which could be occupied, as one can see week by week from the advertisements in the local Press?

Mr. Hicks

My hon. Friend will be aware of the discussions and correspondence that I have had with him, and every nook and cranny of that neighbourhood has been searched to try and find accommodation which is available.

Sir H. Morris-Jones

As my hon. Friend and the Department have viewed other buildings, will he consider an available alternative site, which is not good agricultural land but derelict land, and has already been suitably prepared for building purposes within the area?

Mr. Hicks

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Minister of Agriculture agrees that there is no alternative site which would have interfered less with agricultural production than the one we have selected.