§ 36. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the First Commissioner of Works for what purpose the temporary buildings in Eaton Square are being used; and whether it will be possible to remove them in time for the replanting of the gardens for the coming summer?
§ Mr. J. PARKER (Lord of the Treasury)This question should have been addressed to the War Office. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War has asked me to give his answer, which is as follows: The hut to which my hon. Friend refers is the Queen Mary's Officers' Club, with bed accommodation for 143 officers. It belongs to the Young Men's Christian Association, and has been placed at the disposal of the War Department for officers passing through London, who would in present conditions be unable to find other accommodation. One hundred and sixty officers on an average are accommodated in the hut every night. The question when the hut will be moved depends on negotiations which I understand are at present proceeding between the Young Men's Christian Association and the Eaton Square Gardens (North Side) Householders' Committee. As far as the War Department is concerned, there is still great need for the hut, and this need will probably continue for another six months. The Department is grateful to the householders for the public spirit they have shown in allowing the hut to be placed in the square, and I trust they will continue to show the same public spirit by agreeing to its remaining as long as there is real need.
§ 37. Major BARNETTasked the First Commissioner of Works what progress is being made in restoring the Regent's Park to its former uses; whether the unsightly wooden buildings erected during the War for the Army Post Office are now being vacated by the military and taken over by the Ministry of Pensions as offices for their clerks; and, if so, whether it is intended that the land so occupied shall be permanently alienated from the use and enjoyment of the public?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)I regret that, owing to the great lack of other accommodation, it has not been possible as yet to remove any of the existing temporary 638 buildings in Regent's Park, but such removal shall be made as soon as alternative accommodation becomes available. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. There is, of course, no intention of alienating the land permanently from the use and enjoyment of the public.
§ Major BARNETTCan my right hon. Friend give any date when the long-suffering residents in that district are likely to be relieved?
§ Sir A. MONDI am sorry, but I am afraid I cannot.
§ Mr. HOPKINSWhat are the buildings used for?
§ Sir A. MONDThey have been put up for the Ministry of Pensions.