2. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Works his policy where the owner of property which was requisitioned during the war, and is still occupied by a Government Department and is likely to be so occupied for a number of years, is anxious to sell to his Department.
§ Mr. EcclesNormally I am willing to buy requisitioned buildings when they 1628 are in sound condition and are suitable for official use, provided they are offered at a reasonable price and are likely to be used long enough to justify the cost of purchase and adaptation.
Mr. VaneCan my right hon. Friend tell me why his Department have consistently refused to buy the house near Kendal about which I have had certain correspondence with him?
§ Mr. EcclesThis property, which is, I think called "Underfell," is unsuitable and uneconomic for permanent office purposes and the local planning authority objects to its use permanently for offices.
Mr. VaneIf it is sufficiently suitable to be occupied by a Government Department indefinitely, why is it not suitable for them to buy? They can sell it again if they get better premises instead of leaving the owner in the unfortunate position in which he now is.
§ Mr. EcclesI should very much like to have the money to buy everything, but the right thing to do if we had the money would be to build more suitable offices.