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Hans Crescent Hotel

Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Works – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 31 October 1949.

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Photo of Sir Allan Noble Sir Allan Noble , Chelsea 12:00, 31 October 1949

asked the Minister of Works what work has been carried out on the Hans Crescent Hotel in preparation for use as a hostel for colonial students; when it is expected to be used for that purpose; and what alternative accommodation has been considered.

Photo of Mr Charles Key Mr Charles Key , Poplar Bow and Bromley

Work has not yet started but I hope that the hostel will be ready by mid-summer of 1950. Several other premises were considered but were rejected for a variety of reasons.

Photo of Sir Allan Noble Sir Allan Noble , Chelsea

Is the Minister aware that he told the House last Monday that this building had been empty since last December—very nearly a year—and would not it be much better to allow this building to be used again for hotel accommodation and to find some other accommodation for these important colonial students?

Photo of Mr Charles Key Mr Charles Key , Poplar Bow and Bromley

We have searched very diligently for other accommodation, but we have had to retain this accommodation because we could not find any alternative.

Photo of Mr Marcus Lipton Mr Marcus Lipton , Lambeth Brixton

Is the Minister aware that the citizens of Chelsea would no doubt welcome the establishment of this hostel in that cultured and broadminded borough?

Minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.