Properties, Regent's Park (Hansard, 6 December 1956)

§ 16. Mrs. L. Jeger
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vacant Crown properties there are in Regent's Park, in either undivided Nash terrace houses, mews flats or other premises.

Mr. Amory
The Crown properties in Regent's Park at present vacant and in hand are 50 Nash terrace houses and 27 mews flats.

§ Mrs. Jeger
Will the Minister do all that he can to ensure that these 77 properties are made fit for people to live in as quickly as possible in view of the serious housing shortage in Central London?

Mr. Amory
Yes, I agree with the hon. Lady that it is desirable. There are particular difficulties in this case. There were negotiations for the majority of these houses in Cumberland Terrace to be made available as a hostel for London University, but the University decided finally that it did not want them for that purpose. That has caused the present position. As the hon. Lady knows, it is not a question merely of conversion but of long-term reconstruction of these Nash terrace houses, which is a very big project indeed.

§ Mr. Grant-Ferris
On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, May we know what this has to do with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food?

§ Mr. Speaker
As a Commissioner of Crown Lands.

§ Sir L. Plummer
In view of the fact that many Members of Parliament living in London will be given notice to quit in about nine months' time under the provisions of the Rent Bill, will the right hon. Gentleman open a waiting list so that those M.P.s can apply for the Nash terrace houses in Regent's Park?

Mr. Amory
If the hon. Gentleman would care to put in an application for one of these houses, I would use my best influence to see that he is accommodated.

§ 17. Mrs. L. Jeger
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many houses in Regent's Park under his control are being used for offices or other non-residential purposes; and what plans he has for converting them to flats as a contribution to London's housing problem.

Mr. Amory
One hundred and seventy-eight houses in Regent's Park are at present held for use as offices or for other non-residential purposes. The future of these houses will be considered by the Board of Crown Estate Commissioners which is about to be appointed.

§ Mrs. Jeger
Will the Minister take the best possible advice on this question of the conversion of these houses back TO residential use? Is he aware that in many parts of London big houses have been converted in a practical way for family living and that this could make a contribution not only to the housing problem but, by reducing the number of people employed in offices in the central area, it would help to solve the travelling problem as well?

Mr. Amory
I agree with the hon. Lady, and I believe that the solution which she has indicated is the kind of long-term solution which ought to be adopted. But as I say, unfortunately it cannot be done piecemeal. The whole project is an enormous one.