§ 70. Mr. Leverasked the Minister of Works whether he will give instructions that licences for building work upon bomb damaged premises shall be withheld except where the premises are to be used for essential purposes, or the amount involved is very small.
§ Mr. KeyNo. I cannot lay down a general prohibition of this kind. Each case is considered on its merits while account must also be taken of such important factors as the availability of labour and materials for particular types of work.
§ 71. Mr. Leverasked the Minister of Works what representations have been made by local authorities that he should direct that a copy of every licence for building work stating the nature of the work, and the amount of its monetary limit, should be posted prominently upon the site where such work is undertaken; and why the adoption of this suggestion has not been found practicable or desirable.
§ Mr. KeyRepresentations on this subject were made during 1946 by a number of local authorities but none has been made since we arranged in February, 1947, for copies of all licences issued by my Ministry to be sent to local authorities who can, if they so desire, make them134W available for public inspection. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my predecessor to the question by the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain) on 5th November, 1946.
§ Mr. Leverasked the Minister of Works the total amount of licences granted for the reconstruction of the Royal Exchange, Manchester; and upon whose representations such licences were granted.
§ Mr. KeyA licence for £171,300 was granted last February for the partial restoration following war damage of the northern half of the Royal Exchange, Manchester. The project was sponsored by the Board of Trade and supported by the Manchester Corporation and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.