HC Deb 28 April 1947 vol 436 cc1512-4
23. Mr. Richard Law

asked the Minister of Works the number of houses, flats and hotels in the Kensington area which are still under requisition by Government Departments.

The Minister of Works (Mr. Key)

Two hundred and twenty houses, 157 flats, and 10 hotels in the Kensington area were held under requisition by Government Departments on 31st March, last. In addition, 323 houses and 390 flats were held by the Ministry of Health for housing purposes.

Mr. Law

Has the Minister calculated the number of families for which those figures would provide housing accommodation in the area, and does he not consider that, in the existing housing shortage, it is a great scandal that the Government should be occupying so many residential premises?

Mr. Key

No, Sir, I have not made the calculation but we are anxious to release as soon as possible all accommodation that could be used for families.

Captain John Crowder

Can the Minister give the figure for the number of garages used for storage purposes which are held by the Ministry?

Mr. Key

Not without notice.

24. Mr. Law

asked the Minister of Works what quantities of coal and coke, respectively, were delivered during February and March to 34, de Vere Gardens, at present occupied by his Department and the Admiralty; and what amount of coal and coke would have been available for these flats if they had been occupied by private householders.

Mr. Key

These premises are near a loading depot and are used for stocking balances of fuel cleared from trucks. The actual consumption in February and March was 17 tons of coal and 16 tons of coke. The permitted quantity of fuel per annum on the ordinary domestic user's scale would be 32 tons of coal and 38 tons of coke.

Mr. Law

May I ask the Minister why the permitted consumption for these Government Departments is so much higher than that for domestic premises?

Mr. Key

The number of persons catered for in the use of these establishments for office purposes is far higher than would be the normal number in ordinary occupation.

Mr. Law

Does the Minister consider that a valid reason for the higher consumption permitted, since the more people there are in any given space the less need there is for heating?

Mr. Key

That is not true if one considers—as one should—the health of the people who are working there.

Mr. Law

Is not the Minister prepared also to consider the health of the residents of the area who in many cases are unable to obtain enough fuel even for heating water?

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