§ Mr. HALLASasked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been brought to his notice that there are two void hostels, situated near the works of the Austin Motor Company, Birmingham (South), which accommodated 1,200 female 912W munition workers during the War; whether he is aware that the Austin Motor Company have made an offer to the responsible Government Department to purchase those hostels for the purpose of accommodating some 1,500 male workers whom they desire to employ, and that the opportunity, of purchase is refused; and whether, seeing that such refusal is responsible alike for promoting unemployment and aggravating the housing shortage, and that there are large void military hutments in Sutton Park, Birmingham (North), which could be more advantageously used as industrial training centres for disabled soldiers than those near the Austin works which are to be used for that purpose, he will reconsider this decision?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI have been asked to answer this question. I understand that the facts are as stated in the first and second parts of the question. The two hostels referred to have been transferred to the Ministry of Pensions for use as a centre for the curative training and treatment of disabled ex-Service men. The last part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.