HC Deb 12 November 1974 vol 881 cc97-8W
Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will offer the nine-roomed No. 1 Abbey Gardens with attached tennis court, at present used by the Industrial Arbitration Tribunal, to Westminster Council for housing homeless families when the present occupants vacate the premises;

(2) if he will make a statement on the plans to convert No. 1 Abbey Gardens as an official residence for the Leader of the Opposition at a cost of £25,000.

Mr. Kaufman

The Government have no plans for converting No. 1 Abbey Gardens into a residence for the Leader of the Opposition. The premises, but not the tennis court, are held on lease until 1979. There are no plans at present for the current occupants to vacate the premises.