74. Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Minister of Works whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 50 of the Report of the Select Committee on Estimates regarding the slow rate of release of residential and non-industrial premises; and what steps he intends to take to speed up the release of such premises in Edinburgh.
§ The Parliamentary Secretly to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Durbin)Yes, Sir. Requisitioned flats and houses have had priority of release in Edinburgh as it other towns and any remaining under requisition by my Department will be released as soon as other suitable alternative accommodation can be found and our temporary office building under construction is completed.
Lieut.-Commander HutchisonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that despite this alleged priority, the actual rate of releases is very slow indeed, and will he look into the matter further?
§ Mr. DurbinWhen I was last in Edinburgh I visited a large site on which very considerable building operations for Government temporary offices are proceeding as fast as material supplies permit
§ Mr. WillisIs the hon. Gentleman aware that football pool offices have been derequisitioned before private dwelling houses, and will he look into this and see that private housing is given priority?
§ Mr. DurbinThat is another question, but I shall be delighted to have the information.
§ Sir William DarlingIs the hon. Gentleman also aware that the National Coal Board have taken over six former residential houses in the West end of Edinburgh?