HC Deb 23 November 1949 vol 470 cc335-6
13. Mr. Cecil Poole

asked the Secretary of State for Air why his Department are seeking possession orders for Air Ministry houses at Curborough Road, Lichfield; for what purposes they propose to use them; and what steps are being taken to provide alternative accommodation for the displaced tenants.

Mr. de Freitas

The houses are required for Air Ministry employees in the Lichfield area. The present tenants left the service of the Air Ministry between two and four years ago. It is not my Department's responsibility to provide accommodation for these former employees but the fullest consideration is given to each case before a possession order is sought.

Mr. Poole

Will the Minister say whether he now proposes to use these houses, when he obtains possession of them, for further housing of Air Ministry employees? Secondly, can he say why his Department take proceedings against people who have been in residence for four years, and threaten to evict them in preference to people who have only recently taken up occupation?

Mr. de Freitas

When these tenants got these houses they signed a written undertaking that they would leave them when they left Air Ministry employment. We have been most considerate over these years, and we now feel that some consideration is due to our own employees who are still with us and who; need these quarters.