HC Deb 31 October 1949 vol 469 cc5-6
8. Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Works what work has been carried out on the Hans Crescent Hotel in preparation for use as a hostel for colonial students; when it is expected to be used for that purpose; and what alternative accommodation has been considered.

Mr. Key

Work has not yet started but I hope that the hostel will be ready by mid-summer of 1950. Several other premises were considered but were rejected for a variety of reasons.

Commander Noble

Is the Minister aware that he told the House last Monday that this building had been empty since last December—very nearly a year—and would not it be much better to allow this building to be used again for hotel accommodation and to find some other accommodation for these important colonial students?

Mr. Key

We have searched very diligently for other accommodation, but we have had to retain this accommodation because we could not find any alternative.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the Minister aware that the citizens of Chelsea would no doubt welcome the establishment of this hostel in that cultured and broadminded borough?