§ 3. Mr. DONALDasked the Minister of Pensions the amount paid by the Government for the property purchased in Amelia Street, Belfast, for offices for the Ministry of Pensions; whether the present tenant, who has occupied these premises for the past 25 years and in which he carries on a hem-stitching factory, is to be evicted on the 1st November without any hope of alternative accommodation, which will mean some 100 workers will be thrown out of employment, and also the present tenant's livelihood will be gone and a large portion of his capital which has been sunk in the business lost; and what steps the Government propose to take in the matter seeing that there are a number of unoccupied buildings suitable for offices in Belfast at the present time?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am informed by the Commissioners of Public Works, Dublin, who acquired this property, that the agreed purchase price of the buildings in Amelia Street, Belfast, is £19,000, and that that price was fixed on the express condition that vacant possession of the entire premises would be given to the Commissioners of Public Works on or before 1st November. The Commissioners understood from the agent to the vendors that he was in treaty with the occupying tenants for renting other suitable promises which were then in course of erection, and which were expected to be ready for occupation towards the end of October, at about the same rent as that paid by the firm in question for their Amelia Street accommodation.
§ Mr. DONALDMay I take it that the present tenant has to move on 1st November?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI understand so. If my hon. Friend says there are no other premises I will make inquiries.
§ Mr. DONALDYes. It is a great hardship on this man carrying on a factory to have his machinery and workers put out on the street. Surely at least two months should be given and alternative accommodation provided.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONPerhaps the hon. Member will come and discuss the question with me?
§ Mr. DONALDI will do so.