HC Deb 21 October 1952 vol 505 cc854-5
36. Mr. Boardman

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the value of the work authorised by licence for the new Woolworth building on the Deansgate—Mary's Gate, Manchester, site.

Mr. H. Macmillan

£130,000, in 1952.

Mr. Boardman

Is the Minister aware that there is already a large Woolworth store within a few hundred yards of this one? Is he further aware that this very unnecessary building is gobbling up steel in Lancashire at a time when new industrial buildings in Lancashire are being held up through the shortage of steel; and is he further aware that members of the local authorities in the Manchester and Salford areas are complaining about the delay in the building of flats because of the shortage of steel? Will he not see that this building is stopped at once?

Mr. Macmillan

This is a rather different angle of approach than that which is ordinarily found from hon. Members representing blitzed cities. This is a case where, out of the allocation given to the corporation, they have decided to spend it on shops or on the restoration of property which they think will be beneficial to their rateable value. I am glad to have that admirable statement of the other side of the problem, which has to be borne in mind.

Hon. Members

Answer the question.

Mr. Boardman

Will not the Minister give an assurance that he will have the matter looked into? Is he aware that, in this connection, I recently received from his Department the most ridiculous letter that surely came out of a Government Department, showing that his officials obviously had not read the letter which the hon. Member had sent them? Will not the Minister have the matter investigated?

Mr. Macmillan

I have a lively recollection of the correspondence we have had, and whether the hon. Gentleman's description of my reply or the original letter is right or not is a matter that we must leave for others to judge. All I can say is that, on this matter, certain allocations are made to the corporation to repair the bomb damage, and this is a very unusual case of objection being taken to my Department having made too big an allocation.