HC Deb 19 October 1944 vol 403 cc2523-4
34. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether he now has a record of buildings suitable for domestic use but now occupied for military purposes; whether he is aware of houses in the London area that have been vacated by the War Office and the Air Ministry but have remained empty for three months and more; and whether he will devise a means of securing immediate availability of such buildings as and when they are relinquished by the Air Ministry or the War Office.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink)

The arrangements which I have made with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, for local authorities to be notified of house property relinquished by the military are set out in a circular, a copy of which I have already sent to my hon. Friend. I am conferring with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air with a view to making similar arrangements for house property which may be released by his Department.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, whatever recommendations he has made, they have not been operated very swiftly, and that in my own area eight houses have been empty for four months while there are thousands of people urgently needing accommodation? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman short circuit the whole business and make the houses available?

Mr. Willink

I cannot short circuit the whole business. The hon. Gentleman has been helpful, and the matter has gone rapidly in recent weeks. A great many cases are being considered with expedition.

Sir I. Albery

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is a very large number of houses in the South of England which have been vacated by the military authorities but have not been de-requisitioned?

Mr. Willink

There is a large number. If my hon. Friend cares to see a copy of the circular I will send it to him.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman see that such houses are made immediately available for people who have no homes?

Mr. Willink

I cannot make available houses which are properly required by the War Office for their purposes.

Mr. Sorensen

They are empty.

Sir H. Williams

Are there not a large number of houses which have been requisitioned by the City of Westminster Council for so long that the notices are now covered by dust?

Mr. Sorensen

I beg to give notice that owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

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