§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what sum of building licences has been issued by his Department to the Midlands Electricity Board during 12 months to 30th September, 1952, for office and showroom accommodation; what new offices and showrooms have been licensed for building at Shrewsbury; and to what extent authority for the purchase of private dwellinghouses, for use as offices, is given by these licences.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydDuring the twelve months ending 30th September, 1952, I issued no authorisations for showrooms to the Midland Electricity Board and only one for the erection of two timber huts at a cost of £1,277 for use as offices.
Since vesting date one authorisation has been given to the Board for the adaptation of offices for service centres at Shrewsbury. This was on 31st March, 1950 for work to cost £2,780, the work consisting of altering premises in the High Street which had been held by the Board and its predecessors for some years. Conditions during the war and after had delayed work on these premises.
Defence Regulation 56A does not provide for authorisations for the purchase of private dwellinghouses. But the consent of the local housing authority is required under Defence Regulation 68CA before private dwellinghouses can be converted to other uses.