HC Deb 23 October 1946 vol 427 cc1660-1
50. Mr. Stokes

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it was with his approval that houses sufficient to accommodate 1,400 persons have been destroyed in order to make room for the Hamburg project.

Mr. J. Hynd

The houses which are being demolished for this purpose are war-damaged and were occupied by, not 1,400 persons, but some 500. Their demolition was necessary to enable complete rebuilding on the site, which had already been largely cleared by bombing. The scheme was given full consideration and was only approved after full consultation with the local German authorities.

Mr. Stokes

My information is contrary to that of the Minister. If I send it to him, will he please look into it? Why was it that this site was chosen when a few hundred yards away there was a completely vacant site, where no one need have been disturbed at all?

Mr. Hynd

My information is different from my hon. Friend's. This site was chosen, as I said, in consultation with the German local authorities, as being the most suitable and appropriate site, and one on which large scale rebuilding could be most easily and economically undertaken.

Mr. Frank Byers

In view of the difference in information, is it not time that the Minister established headquarters in the British zone?

Mr. Hobson

Will the Minister state what alternative accommodation there is?

Mr. Hynd

I think that has been dealt with fairly fully, but I would like to clear up any misunderstanding which may have arisen from letters to the Press and elsewhere. The people removed from these damaged houses are not put into air raid shelters or cellars, but are given accommodation in existing German houses.

Mr. York

Is the hon. Gentleman aware, when he says that consultations took place with the local authorities, that the local authorities in fact advised very strongly against this method?

Mr. Hynd

No, I am not aware of that; in fact, I have discussed the matter with the local authorities.