HC Deb 23 January 1951 vol 483 cc5-6W
83. Commander Noble

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the owners or owners' agents were not consulted when it was considered possible to derequisition four London hotels.

Mr. Bottomley

I do not agree that the owners' agents were not consulted. These consultations were, however, informal. I am sorry if the agents did not appreciate that we would have carried on with the arrangements for the release of the premises from requisition, if we had known that any hotelkeeper was willing to take them over, and run them as hotels catering largely for overseas visitors.