§ Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Works what is his estimate of the accom- 460W modation in hotels throughout the country still under requisition by the Government but not being used; and how soon it will be before this space will be available for normal use.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI cannot accept the implication in the Question that hotels are kept under requisition when no longer required for the public service. Hotels cannot necessarily be released because they are temporarily unoccupied in whole or in part. Accommodation must, for example, be kept available for the use of Service personnel in transit and in course of demobilisation. The various Departments concerned fully appreciate the importance of surrendering immediately hotels when they are no longer required. I regret that I am unable to give the figures asked for by the hon. Member since they are not readily available and continually changing, but I should be ready to investigate any particular case in which he is interested.