HC Deb 24 April 1950 vol 474 cc47-8W
34. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Works on what grounds a licence was issued for the John Lewis building in Oxford Street, London; and what is the total cost and the steel in tons allowed.

Mr. Stokes

The total cost of the temporary shops already erected and in course of erection by Messrs. John Lewis in Oxford Street will be about £33,000, and 10 tons of steel have been released. The work was licensed before the present restrictions on capital investment were imposed, on the grounds that the improvement of this bombed site gives the firm a little of the accommodation they lost through war damage and because no softwood and so little steel were required.