HC Deb 08 February 1955 vol 536 cc1713-4
12. Major Anstruther-Gray

asked the Minister of Works to give figures to show what progress he has made in derequisitioning land and buildings during the last six months, giving separate figures for Scotland.

Mr. Birch

During the second half of last year my Department derequisitioned 326 acres of land in England and Wales and 407 acres in Scotland; other Departments derequisitioned 17,369 acres in England and Wales and 1,108 acres in Scotland. My Department released 90 buildings in England and Wales and 12 in Scotland, and other Departments released 468 in England and Wales and three in Scotland.

Major Anstruther-Gray

While congratulating my right hon. Friend on the progress which he is making, may I ask him whether he will do his best to speed up this rate of derequisitioning, good though it is at the moment?

Mr. Birch

We are now getting down to the hard core. The great bulk of this work has been done, but, as far as my Department is concerned, we hope to derequisition more than half the remainder this year.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister proceeding in accordance with the Goschen formula?