§ 39. Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Works what was the cost of erecting the hostel at Adwick, near Doncaster; for what purpose it was intended; and whether it has been occupied since it was built.
§ The Minister of Works (Mr. Duncan Sandys)The cost was about £95,000. With regard to the rest of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of Fuel and Power on 20th March.
§ Mr. BellengerFor what purpose is this very expensive building now being used?
§ Mr. SandysThe Question, of course, referred to the past use, and that was fully explained by the Minister of Fuel and Power on 20th March. The building has now been released by the Ministry of Fuel and Power and has been handed over to the Ministry of Health, who are [...] ting evacuated children into the hostel. Those children will be coming in during the course of this month.
§ Mr. MontagueHow many people can be accommodated in it?
§ Mr. SandysThe hon. Gentleman had better put that question to the Minister of Health.
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs it not reasonable to assume that there will not be evacuees now that the bombing of London has stopped?
§ Mr. SandysIt may be that I should have said refugee children.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenWhy do Government Departments resist suggestions which have been made that this hostel should be converted into accommodation for homeless persons who are actually being evicted now?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is another question.