§ 39. Mr. Higgsasked the President of the Board of Trade why pressure was put, by his Deparment, on Messrs. H. Incledon and Company, Limited, of 67–73, Constitution Hill, Birmingham, to vacate their premises, in May, 1943, for the purpose of housing a firm whose buildings were unsafe, as the firm in question never occupied the premises.
§ Mr. DaltonThis request was made, in the interests of war production, to Messrs. Incledon, who sold the premises to the other firm mentioned by my hon. Friend. These premises are now being put to very good use in the war effort, though not for the purpose originally intended.
§ Mr. HiggsIs the Minister aware that, owing to the activities of his Department, a business of 40 years' standing has been closed down; and is he further aware that the premises are now in the possession of a competitor of the original owner?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. My duty in these matters is to assist the Service Departments and the Supply Departments to obtain space for war production and storage. I was requested by one of the Supply Departments to obtain these premises. I did so, and the premises are now being used for effective war purposes. I do not wish to go into detail, on grounds of security.
§ Mr. HiggsIs the Minister aware that a certain firm was bombed out, that the premises stayed idle for three months, and that they are not used by the firm for which they were commandeered?
§ Mr. DaltonI cannot add anything to the answer I have given.