§ 9. Mr. William Teelingasked the Minister of Works, in view of the increasing demand for the use of the Royal Pavilion at Brighton for tourist purposes, which will bring needed dollars to this country, why the Public Assistance Board has now postponed the date of its evacuation of the premises; and when the corporation can expect to have the use of the rooms they now occupy.
§ Mr. KeyThe premises which the National Assistance Board are to occupy require extensive repair and adaptation. The work will be started next month and it is hoped to release the accommodation in the Royal Pavilion by June, 1950.
§ Mr. TeelingDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that next year is the centenary of the purchase by the corporation of the Royal Pavilion from Queen Victoria, and that every effort is being made to have a series of functions connected with it; that if the Assistance 7 Board cannot get out by June it will do very serious damage to the tourist trade, which the Tourist Board believe is badly needed; and does not he further realise that he has on several occasions over the last year promised that the Assistance Board was getting out very soon?
§ Mr. KeyYes, but we had to find alternative accommodation, and the alternative accommodation requires a good deal of adaptation. I have every hope that by June of next year we shall be out; I shall make every effort to see that that is done.
§ Mr. TeelingDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that June will be too late; that there are other things besides the adaptation of new offices; and that we really want to make some money, and get the money into this country?
§ Mr. TeelingWhy not?