46. Lieut.-Colonel Dowerasked the Prime Minister if he will give instructions that in future, when requisitioned dwelling-houses are no longer required by the Department or authority for whom they were requisitioned, they will not be offered to other Departments and authorities before being derequisitioned.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I consider that the present policy should be maintained by which all requisitioned 415 houses of the smaller type, when vacated by Government Departments, are made available to local authorities so that they may be used to the fullest possible advantage to the community. Large requisitioned houses when they are vacated by one Government Department are considered for housing other Government Departments to ensure their most advantageous use. Every endeavour is made, however, to release houses required for the personal occupation of those who owned them at the time of requisition.
Lieut.-Colonel DowerDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the acute housing shortage will persist while houses are hawked about from Department to Department and small houses are maintained empty for a long period?
§ Mr. AttleeI do not think they are "hawked about"—[Hon. Members: "Yes, they are"]—but if the hon. and gallant Member knows of small houses being held for a long time by a Department, perhaps he will put down a question to the Department concerned.