HC Deb 05 November 1946 vol 428 cc1190-1
8. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Minister of Works the number of business premises still under requisition in Liverpool, giving the owners in each case and the present users; and how long it will be, in each case, before the premises are restored to their prewar users.

Mr. Tomlinson

This Question entails inquiries from a number of Government Departments and it has not been possible to obtain the information in the time available. I will send the information to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mrs. Braddock

Does that mean that there is no centralised Department of the Government which keeps a record of property requisitioned by the various Departments; and is the Minister aware that the fact that these premises remain requisitioned for such a long time is, in the opinion of the people of Liverpool, one of the reasons why there is such a terrific increase in unemployment in the Liverpool area?

Mr. Tomlinson

In answer to the first part of the question, I would point out that my Ministry is not the only Ministry that requisitions. Other Ministries can requisition property and, therefore, it is necessary to consult them with regard to the property they hold. We have a register of the properties for which we are responsible, and it is because of our sympathy with what is stated in the latter part of the Question that we are attempting to take action as quickly as possible.

Mr. Keenan

Will the Minister undertake to continue the work started by his Parliamentary Secretary recently, because he apparently knows, or knew, the details, and made certain promises in the locality about two months ago?

Mr. Tomlinson

That work is proceeding.

Mr. Nally

Can we have an assurance from my right hon. Friend that, whether it concerns Liverpool or elsewhere, so far as his Department is concerned they will not yield to the mass pressure tactics now being adopted by football pool organisations to secure a release of premises which can much better be used in the public interest for other purposes?

Mr. Tomlinson

The purpose for which premises are to be used is not one of the things that we can take into consideration.

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