§ 57. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Minister of Agriculture the Government's total gross rentals from Crown properties in Regent Street in 1913, 1920, and 1925?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Edward Wood)The total of the gross rentals from Crown properties in Regent Street in the year ended 31st March, 1913, was £44,070 4s. The corresponding total for the year ended 31st. March, 1920, was £192,786 14s. 6d., and for the year to 31st March. 1925, £315,229 5s. 6d.
§ 58. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will undertake that no rebuilding or repairs, except such as are urgently necessary, shall be carried out in future on Crown properties until the housing shortage is overtaken?
§ Mr. WOODDue regard will be had to the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member where such work would be likely to conflict with house-building requirements, but work of the kind referred to provides employment for a large number of men in the building and allied industries, who would not in any event be employed on house-building, and, in the circumstances, I cannot, therefore, give the undertaking suggested.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESWas the right hon. Gentleman consulted before the Regent Street rebuilding took place last year?
§ Mr. WOODI think Regent Street has been in the process of being rebuilt for more years than I was allowed to be consulted.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been far more rebuilding done during the last year than could have been done in the last 20 or 30 years combined?
§ Mr. WOODThe only part of last year for which I was responsible was from about the beginning of November to the end of the year, and by that time it was completed.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESThat is why I asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was consulted before these extensive building operations were undertaken?