HC Deb 07 November 1949 vol 469 cc863-4
6. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Works the superficial area in feet of the new building in Theobald's Road, Holborn, about to be occupied by the Board of Trade; what is the number of people it is designed to accommodate; and, in view of the economic and housing situation, if he will consider abandoning this scheme.

Mr. Key

This building has a superficial area of 135,000 square feet, excluding storage space, and will accommodate approximately 1,600 people. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Sir W. Smithers

Why provide accommodation for some 1,600 bureaucratic drones when there are more than 2,000 worker bee families in the Orpington division waiting for homes? Will the Minister try to get the Minister of Health to reverse his decision as to the issuing of licences?

Mr. Speaker

The Question only asked what was the superficial area.