Lady Grant:

asked the Minister of Works whether there are any surplus gas cookers still available which could be reconditioned and offered to the public, who are unable to obtain new cookers.

Almost all gas cookers in the hands of Government Departments are still required for Government purposes. Any cookers not required for Government or other public purposes are sold to the public by tender or auction.

Lady Grant:

Is the Minister aware that the price of new cookers is quite beyond the purchasing power of the ordinary public, and as hire-purchase is not permitted, will he reconsider the position with a view to making available to the public certain gas cookers which are apparently not in use?

Our Department is under heavy pressure to provide for priority purposes all kinds of domestic accommodation for which these gas cookers are required.

Can the Minister give an assurance that there are not gas cookers in large quantities on aerodromes vacated by the Royal Air Force which are just left there for anyone to come and take away?

Such cookers come within the responsibility of my Department only when the camps are declared redundant for Air Force use.

Can the hon. Gentleman say that there are none at such camps?

It is not possible to say that, as we are not responsible for their distribution.