§ Mr. BRIANTasked the First Commissioner of Works if any temporary buildings for the accommodation of the staffs 1210W of the public Departments are still being erected, or if any contracts have been made, or are contemplated, for such further structures; and if, considering the number of buildings erected or acquired and the reduction of the staffs, there is sufficient accommodation without the further expenditure of public money?
§ Sir ALFRED MONDTemporary buildings are now being erected, and it has been decided to erect others, for the accommodation of the staffs of public Departments, as it is clear that only by so doing can hotels, museums, and commandeered premises at present in use for that purpose be surrendered. The reduction of staffs has not so far proceeded so rapidly as the creation of new Departments to deal with demobilisation and other post-war problems.
§ Mr. RAMSDENasked the First Commissioner of Works what buildings of a a more or less permanent nature are now being constructed for the use of Government Departments; whether any structures have been commandeered since the Armistice; and what accommodation of a capital nature has up to date been actually vacated by any of the Ministries?
§ Sir A. MONDIn answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question, the following buildings of a more or less permanent nature are now being constructed; Extension to Ministry of Labour, Claims and Records Office, at Kew. Completion of the building at Burton Court for Ministry of Pensions. Thirty premises have been commandeered in London and the provinces since the signing of the Armistice, mostly for the Ministry of Labour in connection with demobilisation, and for the Ministry of Pensions. The Hotel Victoria is the only building of a capital nature that has been finally vacated up to the present time.