HC Deb 08 May 1950 vol 475 cc3-6
4. Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Works, whether he will now say how many hotels, large houses, small houses and flats, respectively, in the London Civil Defence Region, are at present requisitioned by the Government for other use than dwelling accommodation; and how many of each category have

authorities may obtain the necessary labour force for housing work?

Mr. Stokes

No, Sir, I will not. The local authorities are getting all they want. What my hon. Friend does not realise is that there were 47,127 permanent houses and 50,655 temporary houses under construction in Scotland at that time, as compared with only 29,787 permanent houses in March, 1950. It is on account of the drop off in temporary houses that there has been the change in the incidence of labour.

3. Mr. McInnes

asked the Minister of Works the total number and the value of civil building licences issued during the year 1949 in Scotland in the following categories: cinemas and music halls, hotels, public houses and restaurants, banks and offices, shops and warehouses, industry and miscellaneous, respectively.

Mr. Stokes

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The overall figures are 10,141 licences for a total amount of £17,525,142.

Following is the information:

been released for use since 30th September, 1949.

Mr. Stokes

At 31st March last 11 hotels, 495 large houses, 172 small houses, and 539 flats were held by Government Departments on requisition in the London Civil Defence Region for purposes other than family dwellings. Since 30th September, 1949, three hotels, 43 large houses, 30 small houses and 48 flats have been released. Seven of the large houses and six of the small houses have been transferred to the Ministry of Health for dwelling purposes.

Commander Noble

In view of the shortage of accommodation in London, especially during the Festival of Britain, will the Minister give an assurance that these figures are kept under constant review?

Mr. Stokes

I assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the policy of the Government is to derequisition as fast as possible, having regard to all the circumstances. I cannot make a better promise than that. I think he will agree that the figures show continuous progress in the right direction, though possibly the progress is not as quick as he would like.

Mr. Gammans

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that if these hotels are to be used for the Festival of Britain next year they ought to be derequisitioned now?

Mr. Stokes

I know all about that but, as far as London is concerned, of 20 hotels under requisition, only two will be derequisitioned this year. It is not possible to derequisition more. The Government have very much in mind the whole problem of the Festival of Britain.

5. Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Works whether he will now say how many hotels, large houses, small houses and flats, respectively, in the United Kingdom are at present requisitioned by the Government for any other use than dwelling accommodation; and how many of each category have been released for use as dwelling accommodation since 30th September, 1949.

Mr. Stokes

The number of hotels held on requisition in the United Kingdom (including London) by all Departments at 31st March last, for use other than as family dwellings, was 68. On the same basis 1,010 large houses, 420 small houses and 598 flats were held by Departments other than the Health Departments. As regards the second part of the Question, 26 hotels, 235 large houses, 104 small houses and 45 flats have been released since 30th September, 1949, of which 12 large houses and 12 small houses have been transferred to the Ministry of Health for dwelling purposes.

Commander Noble

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my supplementary to the last Question applies equally to this one?

Mr. Stokes

Yes, Sir.