§ 3. Mr. David Rentonasked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that there are thousands of disused Service huts still in good condition standing in remote places where they are not suitable as temporary houses; and whether he will take steps to have such huts removed to places where there is an acute housing shortage.
§ Mr. KeyMany huts, at present temporarily unoccupied, are still required for Government purposes. Where they are surplus, their re-use depends on their type and condition. As a general rule, I doubt whether the hon. Member's suggestion is feasible, or economic.
§ Mr. H. HyndIs the Minister aware that in Finsbury Park, to go no further, there are many Army huts which are simply falling to pieces?
§ Mr. RentonI beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment on Tuesday, 9th December.
§ 7. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Works when his Department intends to hand over all or some of the huts at Alconbury and Stukeley Aerodromes, Hunts, to the local authorities for housing purposes; and how many of such huts could be made available immediately for the accommodation of people who are at present homeless.
§ Mr. KeyI understand that Stukeley is still required by the Air Ministry. As regards Alconbury, my Department has 6 taken over one of the communal sites for use as a hostel; two other redundant hutted sites were offered to the Ministry of Health, but were not considered suitable for housing; the rest of the airfield is not vet redundant to Air Ministry requirements.
§ Mr. RentonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Department recently obtained an order in a local county court for the eviction of 12 men, who will be homeless when that order is enforced, unless some of this housing accommodation can be made available? Will he please reconsider the matter, and see if he can urge his colleagues to release some of it?