HC Deb 15 December 1919 vol 123 cc84-6W
Sir S. HOARE

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the total number of Government employés that is now used in commandeered buildings in London; and what is the total of the rent paid for the commandeered buildings?

Sir ALFRED MOND

I regret that it is impracticable to answer the question as asked, but I shall be glad to place an officer of my Department in communication with the hon. and gallant Member in order to give him any available information he may require.

Sir S. HOARE

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he Will give a list of all commandeered buildings, including hotels, museums and galleries, and private houses now being used by Government Departments in London?

Sir A. MOND

I do not consider it desirable to publish this list, which is also long and not easily understood without explanation. I shall be pleased, however, to instruct my officers to furnish the hon. and gallant Member with any available information in connection with any particular premises in which he may be interested.

Sir S. HOARE

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many Government employés, and from what Departments, are now being housed in Hertford House, the National Gallery of British Art, the Imperial Institute, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the British Museum?

Sir A. MOND

The information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member is as follows:

Museum. Department in Occupation. Number of staff. Observations.
Hertford House Vacated — —
National Gallery of British Art Ministry of Pensions 781 Gallery No. 8 vacated and it is hoped to release further galleries shortly.
National Gallery Ministry of Munitions 250 Certain galleries already vacated. The remaining staffs will shortly be moved to Hotel Metropole.
Imperial Institute War Office 1,290 Two galleries already vacated and the remainder, except one, should be vacated by the 1st February next.
Victoria and Albert Museum Board of Education 729 It is hoped that the Board will return to their Whitehall offices in January next.
British Museum (a) War Office Medical Research Department 193 (a) This staff will be removed to Endell-street by the end of January.
(b) Registry of Friendly Societies 155 (b)It is hoped to rehouse the Registry in the-near future.

Sir S. HOARE

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any part of the staff of the Ministry of Pensions has been moved from the central London area to Acton, Earl's Court, the Alexandra Palace, or any of the outer London areas; and, if so, to what extent?

Sir A. MOND

A staff of fifty of the Ministry of Pensions has recently been transferred from Marylebone Town Hall to Acton. There have been no further removals of the Ministry of Pensions staff from central to outer London areas up to the present.