HC Deb 02 February 1943 vol 386 cc737-8
29. Major Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any further information with regard to the decision of Scottish Command to requisition a certain area for the purpose of building a military hospital; and whether he will give an assurance that the requisition will not be proceeded with until he has received a deputation of Members of Parliament for Glasgow constituencies who are interested in this matter?

Sir J. Grigg

I am at present considering this question with the other Ministers concerned and cannot yet say what will be decided. I will gladly give the assurance asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend in the last part of his Question.

Major Lloyd

Is my right hon. Friend aware that other Ministers concerned have offered alternative accommodation and alternative sites, but that hitherto either no answer has been given over a period of some weeks or no reason has been given why those offers have been rejected, and is he aware that a request for a deputation was made as long ago as 10th January and that this is the first time the several Members of Parliament who made the request have had an answer?

Sir J. Grigg

All the Members of Parliament concerned had an acknowledgment almost immediately. I have looked that up and verified it. As regards the offers made, every one of them has been investigated. One of them was found to be quite unsuitable and another one is now being investigated with, I hope, some chance of success.

Mr. Maxton

Has the right hon. Gentleman realised that the Corporation of Glasgow, who are responsible for the welfare of the city, feel that they are being treated in a very high-handed way by his representatives in this matter?

Sir J. Grigg

I am sorry it should be so, but if in the end their representations are successful, I hope that will do something, indeed a good deal, to remove any such feeling.