§ 43. Mr. HIGHAMasked the First Commissioner of Works if, in view of the fact that tenants of business properties in Kingsway were informed when their offices were commandeered that they must not take temporary premises on longer leases than three months after the War; and, as they are now informed that their premises will be retained for two years after the War, will he explain how he proposes to house the Kingsway tenants, how he proposes to protect them in their pre-war rentals of their old premises, and what is the estimated cost to the State of this wholesale confiscation of business premises?
§ Sir A. MONDThe hon. Member's information is not correct. The tenants were advised that temporary arrangements for premises should extend for a period terminating three months after the 315 Declaration of Peace and the possibility of a continuance after such a date was indicated. Where the tenants are unable to secure extensions of their present temporary tenancies every assistance will be rendered by my Department to suggest other temporary premises to which they can be removed if they are unable to secure such accommodation themselves. As regards the increased rentals which may have to be paid under the new tenancies, all the circumstances will be taken into full consideration by the Defence of the Realm Losses Royal Commission in connection with the compensation claims. It is not at present possible to estimate the cost involved in the requisitioning of these Kingsway properties.
§ Mr. HIGHAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that all the tenants of the Kingsway properties have endeavoured to find other accommodation, even of a temporary character, and that all the estate agents have informed them that there is no available space and in three or four months time these British firms will be homeless so far as office accommodation is concerned, and how does he propose to deal with it?
§ Sir A. MONDI am not aware of that fact.