HC Deb 20 October 1953 vol 518 c1794
29. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Works how many office premises, houses or other buildings, he has caused to be derequisitioned during the first six months of this year as compared with the number released during the same period in 1951.

The Minister of Works (Sir David Eccles)

During the first six months of 1953, 57 offices, 105 houses and 76 other buildings were derequisitioned by my Ministry. The comparable figures for the first six months of 1951 were 73 offices, 175 houses and 135 other buildings. In spite of the ban on new office building, derequisitioning has been maintained at a good rate, largely because of more economical use of Government accommodation.

Sir T. Moore

While it is obvious that my right hon. Friend is doing very well in this matter, may I ask him if he will bear in mind that there are still 80,000 buildings under requisition? Will he therefore press onwards even more ardently to release our buildings as well as our people?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir. There were 11 million square feet under requisition when we came into office, and that figure has been reduced to 6 million. It becomes more difficult as we get down to the hard core, but we shall press on.