§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the First Commissioner of Works if the sale of houses on the Abbotsmead estate, at Barrow, is still in progress; whether it is the policy of the Government to sell over the heads of the existing tenants the houses they occupy, compelling them to find additional accommodation; and whether this policy of ejecting tenants is being followed on any other property owned by the Office of Works?
§ Mr. JOWETTPermanent houses on the Abbotsmead estate and on all other ex-Ministry of Munitions, etc., estates under the charge of my Department, are 2223W for sale, and are being sold whenever a suitable offer is received. So far as I am aware no purchaser of an occupied house has dispossessed the tenant. Sitting tenants have been given the first opportunity of purchasing the house they occupy, and no pressure whatever has been put upon them by my Department either to purchase or to vacate the house, if, for any reason, they do not wish to buy it.