§ 35. Sir Leonard Lyleasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of houses in Bournemouth, which have been requisitioned by his Department, are no longer being used for military purposes; and whether he will expedite the derequisitioning of these houses so that they can be placed at the disposal of the people in the town who are without adequate housing accommodation.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)The houses which are at present requisitioned by the War Department are needed for a future military commitment. They will, however, be released as soon as they can be spared.
§ Sir L. LyleIs my right hon. Friend aware of the desperate need of many hundreds of ex-Servicemen in Bournemouth? Although he cannot supply houses, he can de-requisition empty houses. Is he further aware that one of my cases is that of an ex-Serviceman, with three children and a wife, who wants his own house de-requisitioned and, although it has been empty since D-Day, eight months ago, he cannot get it?
§ Sir J. GriggI understand that these houses are held on account of the United 21 States Forces. I also understand that they are at the present moment reviewing their requirements, and I hope that the review will result in some amelioration of the position.