HC Deb 30 October 1946 vol 428 cc612-4
52. Mr. Scott-Elliot

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will state the number of private dwellings which have been requisitioned from Germans in the British zone during the last three months; and whether he will give an undertaking that further requisitioning will not normally be made.

Mr. J. Hynd

During the three months ended 30th September, some 4,250 dwellings were requisitioned; in the same period about 6,250 were derequisitioned. As further requisitioning may be necessary for the redeployment of the forces of occupation, the housing of Allied contingents, and other reasons, I cannot give the undertaking for which my hon. Friend asks. However, strict instructions have been issued to ensure the economical use of all available accommodation.

Mr. Scott-Elliot

Is the Minister aware that this policy of requisitioning causes so much fear that people are not prepared to repair their own houses?

Mr. Hynd

I was not aware of that factor. If my hon. Friend reads the answer he will find that some 2,000 more houses have been derequisitioned than have been requisitioned.

Mr. Bossom

Can the Minister say how many people were displaced and how many people will occupy the space which the others left?

Mr. Hynd

I could not give that information without notice. On the latter point, there is no guarantee that people who are removed from existing accommodation will be given equivalent accommodation elsewhere

Mr. Bossom

It was promised.

Mr. Hynd

No; I promised suitable accommodation, but in view of the fact that people who have been removed in some cases are people occupying large houses where accommodation cannot be spared on that scale, it makes it obvious that there must be a moving up.

Mr. Bossom

In many of these houses there have been as many as six, eight or 10 families and they will now be occupied by only two people and a child.

Mr. Hynd

The hon. Member apparently is quoting from a number of specific cases of which I am not aware. I cannot say whether the conditions to which he has referred do in fact exist. It is obvious that with the overcrowded condition in Germany, if we are to make provision for an officer and his family, we will be taking probably more accommodation than is normally occupied by a German