16. Mr. KENNEDY JONESasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that much confusion and dislocation of work, with resulting inefficiency, is being occasioned at the Air Ministry by reason of the failure to readjust the 640 accommodation necessary for the Department; whether anticipated readjustment has been repeatedly postponed; whether he realises that with spring approaching it is of paramount importance that the Air Ministry should be in a position to discharge its functions under conditions rendering efficiency possible; and whether he will devote serious attention to this matter, to which effect has in the Department been repeatedly promised to be given and as repeatedly postponed?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; no readjustments have been repeatedly postponed, so far as my Department is concerned. I am fully aware of the paramount importance of the Air Ministry, and have given extreme personal care and attention to its need in the matter of accommodation, when its final requirements were made known to me. I cannot in any way admit that any delay whatsoever has occurred, so far as the accommodation question concerns my Department, nor have any promises been made which have not been carried out.
Apparently the hon. Member does not realise the magnitude of the operations which this question has involved. I may mention that, apart from the Kingsway premises which have had to be taken over, which involve the acquisition of premises occupied by about 160 business firms and the rehousing of three large Government Departments, I have acquired for the Air Ministry during the past few months the Covent Garden Hotel, the Metropolitan Water Board Offices, a large block of offices in Clement's Inn, the Savoy Mansions, fifty rooms in the Strand Palace Hotel, twenty bedrooms in the Constitutional Club, and a large temporary temporary structure on the roof of the Hotel Cecil.
§ Mr. P. A. HARRISArising out of that answer, is not the real difficulty in the organisation of the Department, and would it not be better to reorganise the Department than to acquire more buildings?
§ Sir A. MONDI am not responsible for the organisation of the Department.
§ Mr. HOGGEIn view of the urgency of the Air Minister's work in winning the War, ought we not to get right down, apart altogether from inconvenience to anybody, to getting efficient administration here?
§ Sir A. MONDThat in no way concerns my Department.
Mr. JONESCan the right hon. Gentleman assure us there is no truth in the statement that there has been delay in this thing due to the belief that he hopes himself to renew his spring offensive against the British Museum?
§ Sir A. MONDIf any delay has taken place the hon. Gentleman has certainly not assisted, because he prevented the Air Board going to the British Museum.