§ Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Secretary of State for War why the release has been delayed of a soldier, details of whom have been submitted, who is in age and service Group 43.
58Won 30th September, 1946, or at some other more convenient date, showing the number of schools and educational establishments, hotels, houses and small flats, offices and other property, and the area of requisitioned storage space; and what reduction he anticipates before the end of 1946.
§ Mr. BellengerThe attached summary gives the information required in respect of non-industrial properties held by my Department throughout the United Kingdom as at 1st November, 1946. I expect that the overall total of 3,083 will have been reduced to about 2,200 by the end of 1946. The total of industrial premises held at 1st November, 1946 (also shown on the summary) was about 9,000,000 square feet, which I expect will be reduced to 7,000,000 square feet by the end of 1946. The figure given represents all requisitioned industrial space, and I regret I am not able in the time available to indicate the proportion actually in use for storage purposes. However, very little of the space which will remain under requisition after the end of the year is usable for industrial purposes. Of the total number of requisitioned properties held by my Department on 30th January, 1945, 95.3 per cent. of non-industrial premises and 64 per cent. of industrial space had been released by 31st October, 1946.
Following is the summary:
§ Mr. BellengerGroup 43 was due for release between 20th October and 18th November. I have no information of any doubt regarding this soldier's release group but have called for a report and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend.