§ 45. Sir C. YATEasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether all the hotels and other buildings which have been rented for Government services were given up before the demolition of the temporary buildings in the parks was commenced?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. GILMOUR (for the First Commissioner of Works)The demolition of the temporary buildings in the parks was not begun until arrangements had been made for the surrender of the majority of the premises requisitioned during the War, to which my hon. and gallant Friend presumably refers. All the hotels acquired under the Defence of the Realm Act in London have been surrendered, but five hotels in the provinces, occupied by the Ministry of Pensions, are being retained pending the provision of alternative accommodation. It is, of course, necessary to retain a certain number of hired premises to supplement the accommodation in Crown buildings for the housing of permanent staffs.
§ Sir C. YATEWould it not have been better to have kept the huts up instead of hiring hotels?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir.
§ Major M. WOODHave not some of the hotels originally rented now been bought outright by the Government?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI require notice of that question.