§ 17. Mr. Murrayasked the Minister of Works the cost of the hostel at Crook, County Durham; how many boys have been trained in it for the mines; how long has it been empty; and what use is proposed for this set of buildings.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe cost of the miners' hostel at Crook was £71,000; no boys have been trained there, but an average of 74 working miners and industrial workers per week have been accommodated. The hostel was declared redundant on 30th March, 1946, but the Ministry of Fuel and Power arc using the kitchen and dining room to prepare packed meals for miners who work in small parties in areas too remote for them to use existing canteens. The question of the future use of the whole hostel is under consideration.
§ Mr. MurrayWill the Minister treat this as a matter of great urgency? I was in the district a fortnight ago and the place is an absolute wilderness. It is a disgraceful business, and I ask the Minister to look into it.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI will.