HC Deb 09 December 1946 vol 431 cc757-8
65. Brigadier Fitzroy Maclean

asked the Minister of Works the intention of his Department with regard to the derequisitioning of the 10 hotels in Morecambe and Heysham which have been under occupation by evacuated Government Departments since 1939.

Mr. Tomlinson

The clearance of these hotels is dependent on building at Morecambe for a part of the staff and on the transfer of other staffs to London where alternative accommodation has still to be made available. I am afraid, therefore, that I cannot give a date for the release of the hotels but it is my intention to derequisition them at the earliest possible moment.

Brigadier Maclean

Is the Minister aware that the town of Morecambe is largely dependent on the hotel industry for its prosperity, and that the continued wholesale requisitioning of hotels imposes a very severe handicap upon it, and will he take steps to relieve it of that handicap?

Mr. Tomlinson

Yes, Sir, at the earliest possible moment.

66. Brigadier Maclean

asked the Minister of Works his Department's intentions in regard to the King's Arms Hotel and County Hotel, Lancaster, both of which have been requisitioned since the beginning of the war on behalf of the Canadian Treasury.

Mr. Tomlinson

The Canadians hope to vacate the King's Arms Hotel early next year and the hotel will then be derequisitioned. The requisitioning of the County Hotel, which the Canadians have vacated, is being continued with the owners' agreement. It is being adapted for use as a hostel. Huts in the grounds, which this Ministry erected during the war, will be used as offices.

Brigadier Maclean

Is the Minister aware that there is at present practically no hotel accommodation in Lancaster and that official guests of the municipality have to be accommodated as far as 50 miles away at Ulverston, and will he take steps to put an end to that situation?

Mr. Tomlinson

I have taken steps to the extent that is possible, but the fact that the owner is quite willing to allow us to continue to use it seems to be one of which we ought to take advantage.

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