HC Deb 29 May 1919 vol 116 cc1421-2
82. Major LANE-FOX

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when the premises known as 4, Thurloe Place, were sold to a crippled Army officer for the purpose of conversion into flats, he was informed that these premises were still subject to the original Order issued by the War Office, under the Defence of the Realm Act, commandeering them for the Central Prisoners of War Committee; and whether it is by virtue of that Order that, after the premises had been so sold, the Royal Air Force have occupied them and prevented the owner from carrying out the scheme for which he had bought them?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Before the tender for the purchase of 4, Thurloe Place was accepted the purchaser was informed, in writing, that the premises were in the occupation of the War Office, that His Majesty's Office of Works had indicated that the premises might be required by the Government after they had been vacated by the Central Prisoners of War Committee, and that he, should form his own conclusion as to whether the premises could be further commandeered under the Defence of the Realm Act.