§ 5. Mr. J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Works how many hotels and flats will be under requisition by Government Departments in the London area on 1st March, 1946, and how many will be released by 8th June, 1946.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe number of hotels and flats in London held under requisition on the 1st March by Government Departments, except as afterwards stated, was 2,847, and it is expected that 689 of these will be released by the 8th June. Figures are not available of premises requisitioned by the Ministry of Health, which premises are for the most part held for accommodating the homeless, nor of premises held by the Home Office for civil defence purposes. Very few, if any, hotels and flats are held by the Home Office.
Lieut.-Colonel DowerIs the Minister aware that some of these flats are empty and could he not, in that case, derequisition them at once?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am not aware that any of these flats are empty, but I will look into the matter.
§ 6. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Works how many hotels, flats, and houses will be occupied by Government Departments in Great Britain, excluding London, on 1st March, 1946, and how many will be released by 8th June, 1946.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe number of hotels, flats and houses in Great Britain excluding London held under requisition on the 1st March by Government Departments, except as afterwards stated, was 11,503, of which 5,511 will, it is expected, be released by 8th June. Figures are not available of premises requisitioned by the 155 Ministry of Health and the Department of Health for Scotland, which are for the most part held for accommodating the homeless, nor of premises requisitioned by the Home Office for civil defence purposes. The latter is unable to furnish particulars without an expenditure of time and trouble on the part of local authorities, which could not be justified.