§ 40. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Supply why the promise made that the central furnishing department, being four floors at High Street, Leicester, of the Leicester Co-operative Society would he derequisitioned by March has not been kept; whether he is aware that these premises are being used as a dump for useless wading material at considerable expense to the country; and whether he will take immediate steps to give the society possession of the premises which they urgently need for the purpose of providing essential supplies to the public.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. Woodburn)All the surplus wading equipment has been sold, but difficulty has been experienced in clearing it from the premises, owing to the shortage of railway containers and the fact that the construction of the building does not lend itself to rapid clearance. Two floors have already been cleared and every effort is being made to clear the remaining two and release the premises by the end of this month.
§ Mr. JannerWill my hon. Friend say definitely that he will release the property this month? Is he not aware that release has been promised on a number of occasions and it is expensive for the Government to keep this place as a useless dump?
§ Mr. WoodburnI am sorry that the target has been exceeded a little but obviously my saying that it will be definitely evacuated by the end of the month would have no effect if it were not possible to do so. We will do our best.
§ Mr. JannerWhat is the ultimate target?