HC Deb 16 April 1946 vol 421 cc2484-5
10. Mr. Gammons

asked the Minister of Works why he has refused to grant a licence for the repair of Market Buildings, 29 Mincing Lane, in the City of London, in view of the urgent demand for office accommodation, especially in connection with export trade and the fact that the greater part of the work would not involve the type of building labour utilised in the erection of houses.

Mr. Tomlinson

The demand for repair of office accommodation in the City of London is far greater than can be satisfied at the present time, and it is my policy to discriminate according to the amount of space that can be brought into use for a given expenditure of labour and material. The application for a licence in respect of Market Buildings has had to be rejected on this ground, and most of the labour that would otherwise have been required will instead be available for housing and other urgent work.

Mr. Gammons

Does the Minister realise that if we are to get business going again and also if we are to derequisition many of the flats at present being unsuitably used for offices, some sort of priority must be given to the repair of office buildings?

Mr. Tomlinson

Yes, Sir. I am fully aware of that and the only limiting factor is the availability of labour and material and the most economic use of the space that can be brought into being.