HC Deb 03 March 1964 vol 690 cc1109-10
19. Mr. B. Harrison

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why he reversed the decision of the Maldon Borough Council and has given permission for Acrow to convert a former office building into a workers' hostel.

Mr. Corfield

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the decision letter on this case.

Mr. Harrison

Does my hon. Friend realise that this firm has a dozen or a dozen and a half houses empty in a residential part of the borough and that the decision of my right hon. Friend has distressed and worried very considerably the local authority, which is the planning authority, and which can see no justification for it?

Mr. Corfield

In reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, the answer is, "No". I did not know that it had other residential property available. In answer to the second part. my right hon. Friend came to the conclusion that there was no possible reason for refusing this permission.