§ 95. Sir S. Reedasked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the probable arrival of many visitors to London for the Festival of Britain, he will issue instructions to all Departments to deriquisition as many hotels and flats as possible and to recondition those which are freed with despatch.
§ Mr. Key:The possibility of releasing further requisitioned hotels in London in time for the Festival of Britain is being examined but the majority of suitable hotels have already been released. Flats are given the highest priority for release and every effort is being made to derequisition them, particularly where they are still being used for other than living purposes. In many cases this involves building and the cuts in expenditure on new building work may retard this process to some extent but it is still hoped that it will be possible to release a good proportion by 1951. Applications for licences for the rehabilitation of derequisitioned living accommodation receive favourable consideration by this Ministry.