HC Deb 20 March 1919 vol 113 cc2244-5
97. Mr. ANEURIN WILLIAMS

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many hostels used during the War for the housing of munition workers are not now required for that purpose; what is being done with them; and whether they willbe used temporarily to relieve the dearth of housing accommodation for the general population?

Mr. KELLAWAY

About 150 hostels of various sizes, in eighteen different centres, were used for the housing of munition workers. Fifteen of these hostels have been closed. The hostels in occupation are in fact used by workpeople of various classes, many of whom are not munition workers, and so serve to relieve the dearth. of housing accommodation. The Training Department of the Ministry of Labour have under consideration the possibility of using some of the hostels in connection with their proposed schemes of training.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Cannot the fifteen closed hostels be used in this way?

Mr. KELLAWAY

It is with regard to those fifteen that the observations in my answer refer. I am quite prepared to submit to my right hon. Friend the suggestion of my hon. Friend.