asked the Secretary of State for War what recent inquiries he has made into the extent of military requisitioning of residential property in Germany; and what reduction there has been.

I have recently had inquiries made into both the policy for requisitioning residential property in the British zone of Germany and the application of the policy. The policy laid down is to restrict requisitioning of residential property to the barest minimum. This is achieved by accommodating units in barracks, as the strength of Rhine Army decreases, thereby releasing requisitioned residential property. Records are not maintained of residential as distinct from other properties under requisition. During the first six months of 1947 there was a net reduction of some 3,000 in the total number of properties of all kinds held on requisition by Rhine Army.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the total number of properties held by the Rhine Army?

I cannot give the number, but they have been reduced.