HL Deb 03 May 1950 vol 167 cc81-2
LORD HAWKE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Transport Executives intend to free the Great Central Hotel, Marylebone, in time to house visitors to the Festival of Britain.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH)

My Lords, the former Great Central Hotel, Marylebone, has been completely converted for use as offices and can no longer be used as an hotel. Therefore, even if these premises were to be vacated by the Railway Executive, the Road Haulage Executive and the Hotels Executive, they could not serve the purpose which the noble Lord advocates.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, will the Minister impress on the Transport Commission the importance of reducing the numbers of people engaged in administrative duties at these Transport headquarters to as near as possible the level prevailing before nationalisation?

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

That is a consideration which is always before the Transport Commission.