§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that, during 1946–47 there were substantial excesses of expenditure over income both at the hostels controlled by Government Departments and at those managed on their behalf by the National Service Hostels Corporation, Ltd., he will state the amount of profit or loss for 1947–48; and whether he will insist that these hostels shall in future be run on a self-supporting basis.
§ Sir S. CrippsFull accounts for 1947–48 are not yet available, but the net cost of the hostels in question is expected to be between £2 million and £2¼ million. In addition, just over £1 million was spent in providing accommodation for European Volunteer Workers, Poles, and their dependants. It would not be practicable to run most of these hostels on a self-supporting basis, but their cost is kept constantly under review. I am satisfied that the value of the hostels to the national economy justifies any necessary loss on running them.