HC Deb 22 December 1919 vol 123 cc1049-50W
Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the premises at 54 and 56, Golden Lane, E.C., which are at present in the occupation of the Repair of Government Clothing Department, are still being retained although the premises have been taken by a business firm, employing over 200 employés, including wounded soldiers, who are unable to obtain possession by Christmas, which they were led to suppose would be the case; if he will state what is the nature of the business now being carried on and why it is necessary to store large quantities of clothing in these premises in the heart of the metropolis when there are large numbers of empty buildings at The disposal of the Government in less expensive localities; and whether he is aware that if these premises are not vacated in time to allow of the new firm moving in a large number of employés will be placed out of work?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The premises to which my hon and gallant Friend alludes have been used for the repair of clothing, and not for storage. Two hundred sewing women have been employed there, and over 1,000.000 articles have been repaired for re-issue since March, 1918. The employés were paid off on Friday last. I am informed that the firm who have purchased the premises state that they hope to employ fifty hands, bringing the number up to sixty as business increases. The premises have now been vacated, but it will not be possible to surrender them to the owners for some weeks yet, as there is a considerable amount of work to be done in removing Government fixtures which have been put in.

Mr. A. SHORT

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department are still in possession of the hospitals under the Metropolitan Asylums Board; and whether, in view of the present epidemic of scarlet fever and of the inadequate hospital accommodation, hospitals under the Metropolitan Asylums Board will be released in order to provide facilities for the children of the poor?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The following Metropolitan Asylums Board hospitals remain in the hands of the War Department:

  • The Grove Hospital, Tooting.
  • The Orchard Hospital, Dartford.
  • The Lower Southern Hospital, Dartford.
It is probable that the Grove Hospital eau be surrendered at an early date. The Orchard Hospital is now vacant, and it is not thought that this will be required further. It is understood that this hospital is kept in reserve for use in the event of an epidemic. The Lower Southern Hospital will shortly be vacated.