§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Minister of Labour the cost per week to feed a person in a large industrial hostel; how much is the annual subsidy to Government hostels of this kind; how many of these hostels have been closed down; and for what reasons.
§ Sir W. MoncktonI assume that the question related to industrial hostels managed on my behalf by the National Service Hostels Corporation Ltd. The gross average weekly cost of providing accommodation and food (15 main meals390W 1953, giving separate figures for cable-making and associated industries.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe following table gives the information desired.
per week) in these hostels is now about 66s. per person and it is estimated that the subsidy to the Corporation in respect of the hostels will be about £925,000 for 1953–54. Since the Corporation was formed in 1941 over 100 hostels have been closed. The hostels were provided to accommodate persons needed to man work of national importance during the war and the subsequent period of resettlement in areas where other accommodation was not available. They are closed as the need for special accommodation of this sort declines in any particular area.