§ Mr. Parkinasked the Minister of Works when, and for what purpose, the old workhouse at Stroud was requisitioned; for what purpose it is now used; how many rooms there are in the building; and how many families could be accommodated if it were adapted into flats; and when its release is to be expected.
§ Mr. KeyThe building was requisitioned on 15th September, 1939, for the War Department. In July, 1945, it was transferred to my Department for use as a general store for the issue of equipment to Government establishments in the south-west of England, and it is still being used for this purpose. I cannot say when it will be possible to release the premises. The building contains 87 rooms but I have no estimate of the number of families who would be accommodated if it were turned into flats. The building does not lend itself to satisfactory adaptation, and the structural changes would be very costly.