§ 7 and 8. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Works (1) how many of the 212 houses in the Regent's Park terraces, which he proposes to convert into Government at offices, came within the scope of Regulation 68cA;
(2) upon what grounds he applied to the Minister of Health for exemption from the provisions of Regulation 68CA in respect of the Regent's Park terraces.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAll but two of those houses in Regent's Park terraces, which it is proposed to convert temporarily into Government offices, come within the scope of Defence Regulation 68CA. The houses are not suitable for conversion into economic units of residential accommodation except at a disproportionate cost in labour and materials which cannot be spared at the present time. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Hertford (Mr. Walker-Smith) on 9th April, their use for offices will enable me to release requisitioned accommodation. These facts were borne in mind by the Minister of Health in giving his consent under the Regulation.
§ Sir J. MellorWas the Minister of Health informed of the large number of applications from people who wanted to live in these houses?
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe Ministry of Health is fully informed.
Mr. HoģģIs it part of the policy of the Government to destroy all our architectural features in London?
§ Mr. TomlinsonIf the hon. Member had been present last week he would have discovered that it was to save the architectural features.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreAs this is a point upon which the House would like to be clear, may we assume in this case that occupation means restoration?
§ Mr. TomlinsonYes, that is the purpose of it.