HC Deb 27 November 1945 vol 416 cc1275-6W
Squadron-Leader Fleming

asked the Minister of Works when 100, Palatine Road, 137, Lapwing Lane, 45, Palatine Road, Highfield, Denes Road, 286, Wilbraham Road, 347, Wilbraharn Road and 3, Elm Road, houses in the Parliamentary division of Withington, will be vacated by Government Departments so as to permit the premises to be used again as dwelling houses.

Mr. Tomlinson

I am anxious that the houses mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member should be released for use as dwelling houses as soon as possible but the shortage of office accommodation in Manchester has made it impossible for me, so far, to devise any scheme which would have this result. The matter is under continuous review.

Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Works how many residential premises in Cathedral Road, Cardiff, are now being used as Government offices; and whether steps will now be taken to obtain alternative accommodation in order that these properties may be used to relieve the housing problem in Cardiff.

Mr. Tomlinson

Fifteen houses in Cathedral Road, Cardiff, are being used as Government offices. It is hoped to release 10 in six to eight months' time when it is anticipated that alternative accommodation will become available. The remaining five houses are held on long leases, four of which date from before the war, and there is no prospect of releasing these in the near future.

Sir F. Sanderson

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that there are over 2,600 hotels and boarding houses in occupation by Government Departments, being used as offices by civil servants, which is the equivalent of not less than 250,000 bedrooms; and owing to the shortage of this form of accommodation, will he do his utmost to expedite the derequisitioning.

Mr. Tomlinson

No, Sir. The number of hotels and boarding houses in occupation by Government Departments for use as offices by civil servants is 169, containing about 10,000 bedrooms. Every effort is being made to expedite the release of these premises, but release is necessarily dependent on the availability of alternative offices.