HC Deb 03 March 1948 vol 448 cc389-90
55. Mr. David Renton

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that on 11th October, 1947, the Divisional Food Officer, Cambridge, in a letter bearing reference DFO/JLS, informed the hon. Member for Huntingdon that he was taking steps to obtain accommodation on Stow Aerodrome for Mr. S. Humphreys, the Ministry's caretaker there; that this assurance was repeated in a letter dated 23rd December, 1947; that Mr. Humphreys, who was disabled by wounds in World War I and cannot ride a bicycle, is still without accommodation and is having to walk 3½ miles to and from his work each day; and what steps are being taken to make a hut available to him.

Dr. Summerskill

The hon. Member will be aware from the correspondence which he has had with the Divisional Food Officer, Cambridge, that my Department, in an endeavour to assist in this case, have handed over to the local housing authority a suitable building on the airfield for conversion into living accommodation and direct letting to Mr. Humphreys.

Mr. Renton

Is the hon. Lady aware that this matter has drifted on for five months, and that it was five months ago that her Department first promised a hut to this gentleman? Will she explain whether it is the intention of her Department merely to disburden itself of responsibility in this matter by passing the buck to the local authority?

Dr. Summerskill

The hon. Gentleman does not seem to be aware of the fact that this man is not an employee of my Department. I think that, in the circumstances, we have been very generous in releasing a hut.

Mr. Renton

Is not the hon. Lady aware that it has been stated in the correspondence that he was employed by her Department as a caretaker?

Dr. Summerskill

He is employed as a caretaker by the managers of the depot at the Stow airfield.