HC Deb 21 August 1945 vol 413 cc466-7W
Sir P. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for War how many hotels are still requisitioned by his Department; and whether, in view of the lack of holiday accommodation, any accelerated programme of release is to be applied.

Mr. Lawson

Separate figures of hotel requisitions are not maintained at the War Office, and the total for the country as a whole could not be obtained without considerable labour and correspondence. The Army records group hotels with boarding houses, holiday camps, hostels and restaurants; at the beginning of August there were about 1,750 properties in this group still under requisition by the Army. The lack of holiday accommodation is fully realised, and plans have been made to release hotels as quickly as circumstances permit, having regard to the number of troops to be housed.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of houses, hotels and other premises still held under requisition by his Department in Eastbourne; and the number he proposes to release before 1st October,1945.

Mr. Lawson

263 houses, 63 hotels or boarding houses and 99 other premises are still held under requisition in Eastbourne. I regret I cannot say what further releases can be made before 1st October next. This depends on the availability of other War Department accommodation.