§ 15. Mr. Sloanasked the Minister of Air craft Production whether he is aware that a certain hotel of which he has been in formed has been requisitioned and the proprietors evicted; that the hotel is now being run as a catering establishment with bars open for the supply of refreshments; that the proprietors offered their services to manage the concern but were refused; that the concern is now run by people who have no knowledge of that particular business; and is he now in a position to say whether he will restore the hotel to the proprietors.
§ The Minister of Aircraft Production (Lt.-Col. Moore-Brabazon)It is not correct that the hotel is being run as a catering establishment or with open bars for the supply of refreshments. It was necessary to requisition the hotel in question, partly for office accommodation and partly for use as a mess. The part of the premises used for the latter purpose serves as an extension to a pre-existing mess, and the enlarged mess has been organised under the pre-existing managerial arrangements. In view of these arrangements, which have proved satisfactory, it has not been practicable to make use of the services of the late proprietors.
§ Mr. SloanIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the larger portion of the hotel is still being used for messing by the pilots, and can he give any substantial reason why the skill of the proprietors of the hotel could not be used for this purpose?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonThe answer is that is has changed and become an ordinary mess. It is not run as a hotel, nor are the general public allowed in. The whole organisation is along the ordinary lines of messes.
§ Mr. SloanIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a very special vendetta has been carried on against these people by the representative of Scottish aviation, who has been largely responsible for a great deal of the trouble caused at the hotel? Can he show any substantial reason why a representative of a private firm should be able to interfere with the management of a requisitioned hotel?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonHe is not making any profit out of this. If we go on much further, we shall be giving away the position.
§ Mr. SloanOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the Reply, I give notice that I shall take an early opportunity of raising the matter.