HC Deb 25 July 1949 vol 467 cc1808-9
40. Mr. Mathers

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the announcement that a new food office for the County of West Lothian decided upon last December will not be made available until July, 1950; and whether he will make arrangements to ensure that callers at the present office will be adequately protected from inclement weather and the erection of the new office speeded up.

Mr. Key

I am fully aware of the need for improved accommodation for the food office in West Lothian and I regret that it will not be possible for the new building to be ready before July, 1950. As the present food office is on a main thoroughfare it will be difficult to provide outside protection for callers. My Department is, however, consulting with the local authority and the Ministry of Food to see what can be done.

Mr. Mathers

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the principal objection is to the fact that there is a suggestion that a start cannot be made before November this year? The matter has been in hand for a long time, and that seems an inordinate delay.

Mr. Key

We cannot start building new offices until we have a site on which the offices are to be erected.

Sir William Darling

Is the Minister aware that in West Lothian, as elsewhere in Scotland, there is a lively hope that no new food offices will be built in the future?