HC Deb 22 August 1945 vol 413 cc598-600
22. Flight-Lieutenant Teeling

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many requisitioned houses the R.A.F, has relinquished in the boroughs of Brighton and Hove since VE-Day.

Mr. Strachey

The Royal Air Force holds no requisitioned property in Hove. The considerable properties still held in Brighton are used to house members of the Royal Australian and Royal New Zealand Air Forces who are on their way home. Meanwhile, four very small properties have been relinquished.

Flight-Lieutenant Teeling

Will the hon. Gentleman realise that there are various properties in which the Dominion Forces are not living, but which are being used as store houses, and that they would be very valuable to people who want houses?

Mr. Strachey

There, again, there is hope of relief.

28. Dr. Little

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, now that the war has come to a close, he will proceed to have derequisitioned the houses and buildings in Northern Ireland still under requisition; and offer for sale the huts used by the R.A.F.

Mr. Strachey

Derequisitioning of houses and buildings held by the Royal Air Force in Northern Ireland is going on in step with the reduction of Air Force establishments there, and about half the requisitioned properties have already been released. Huts that are no longer required for the Royal Air Force or for other official use are disposed of through the Ministry of Works.

Dr. Little

In view of the pressing nature of the housing situation in Northern Ireland, will the hon. Gentleman assist by every means in his power?

Mr. Strachey

Yes, but it cannot go more quickly there than anywhere else.

41. Flight - Lieutenant Beswick

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many houses and flats in the Ruislip and Northwood Urban District his Department has requisitioned, and how many at the moment are not fully occupied.

Mr. Strachey

Fifty-five houses and 11 flats. We are now giving up 12 of these houses. All the other properties are fully occupied.

Lieut.-Colonel Dower

Would my hon. Friend say why these requisitioned and unoccupied houses are not derequisitioned, because it is occurring all over the country?

Mr. Strachey

My information is that these properties are fully occupied.

Flight-Lieutenant Beswick

How many are being given up now?

Mr. Strachey

We are giving up 12; they are now in process of being given up.

42. Flight-Lieutenant Beswick

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many houses and flats his department has requisitioned in the Uxbridge Urban District, and how many at the moment are not fully occupied.

Mr. Strachey

No flats and eleven houses, all of which are fully occupied.