HC Deb 26 July 1949 vol 467 cc2223-5
11. Mr. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Masonic Hall, London Road, Leicester, which has been requisitioned for the last 10 years, has not been vacated in accordance with his undertaking of 6th November, 1947, reference PUS/BM/151/47; and if he will forthwith concentrate the Records Office in the three other buildings now occupied in Leicester, as undertaken by his director of quartering on 1st July.

Mr. Shinwell

Unfortunately the proposals for the acquisition of the premises which had been selected in 1947 to house the Record Office had to be dropped, and it has not yet been possible to find suitable premises. I understand that on 1st July the Director of Quartering undertook to investigate the possibility of moving the section of the Record Office at the Masonic Hall to other premises in Leicester, but he did not promise to move it into the other buildings occupied by the Record Office as appeals had also been received for the release of some of these. I am aware of the local feeling on this subject, and every effort will be made to find a satisfactory solution of the problem as early as possible.

Mr. Osborne

But is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that he made a similar promise nearly two years ago, and that in the meantime nothing has been done? Is it not reasonable to ask that he should make a promise that this property shall be derequisitioned before the end of this year, in view of the fact that there are other properties in Leicester that could be used for this purpose? May I have that promise from the right hon. Gentleman?

Mr. Shinwell

I am bound to say that I cannot recall any promise that I made under this head nearly two years ago, though the hon. Gentleman may be right. However, we are doing everything possible to release these premises.

Mr. Osborne

Two years ago a similar promise was made to do everything possible, and as yet nothing has been done. Can I have a promise that in six months the right hon. Gentleman's Department will be out of these premises?

Mr. Shinwell

Some difficulty may have emerged in the last two years which has made it difficult to release the premises. I do not desire to hold the premises any longer than is necessary.