HC Deb 26 June 1941 vol 372 cc1089-90
29. Mr. Messer

asked the Minister of Health to what extent occupation of premises prevents the requisitioning of part of such premises for educational purposes?

Mr. E. Brown

Where the circumstances warrant, I am. prepared to authorise the requisitioning of parts of occupied houses suitable for use for the education of evacuated children.

30. Mr. Messer

asked the Minister of Health in what way the requisitioning of "The Beeches," Saffron Walden, was of doubtful legality; who gave permission for a private person to occupy it; who made the request for it to be de-requisitioned; and to whom the de-requisitioning notice has been sent?

Mr. Brown

I am aware of no reason to suppose that the original requisitioning of this house was of doubtful legality; but it is considered to be doubtful if the requisitioning was still legally effective when the owner resumed possession, since, for one thing, the keys had been surrendered to him. On the owner's view, which has been accepted, that the requisitioning had terminated, he did not need permission to resume possession. The owner applied for the house to be derequisitioned, and notice of de-requisitioning has been sent to him.

Mr. Messer

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the serious nature of this case? Is he aware that the Ministry permitted the premises to be de-requisitioned for educational purposes, that the education authority required them and that, by some means, the owner got possession of the keys and took possession of the house, and that, as a consequence, the education authority cannot now use the place as a school and children may have to be transferred 100 miles away, with the possibility that they may all be brought back to London by their parents? Is not this a serious state of affairs which should receive attention?

Mr. Brown

The matter is very complicated. I understand that the authorities are making other arrangements.

Mr. Messer

Do they not consist of transferring the children 100 miles away, and may that not mean that they will be brought back to London?

Mr. Brown

I understand that, at a meeting with the parents last Monday, the impression formed by the education authorities was that the parents agreed to the children being transferred.