asked the Minister of Works how many business and residential premises have been de-requisitioned in the three years since the present Government took office, as compared with the previous three years.

Government Departments have de-requisitioned 733 residential premises, and 1,858 other holdings during the last three years. The comparable releases for the previous three years were 2,855 and 2,966.

As obviously those figures cannot give a correct picture, would my hon. Friend give the relative percentages during the period?

During the last three years we have de-requisitioned 70·5 per cent. of the outstanding properties requisitioned as opposed to 53 per cent. In fact, we are de-requisitioning nearly half as fast again as under the previous Government.

asked the Minister of Works if, in view of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission's Report on the Supply of Buildings, he will insist on tenderers for Government building contracts signing the declaration of non-collusion, as recommended by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 19th October, in which I said that discussions were taking place. Meanwhile, I do not propose to alter the declaration now in use.

Is the Minister aware that his reply will give great disappointment to Kent County Council and many other local authorities which feel that the Minister is dragging his feet in relation to this matter?

I said that I would make a statement as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Minister of Works how far his Department is still responsible for the erection and maintenance of the Atomic Energy Authority's buildings.

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority will assume direct responsibility on 1st December next for new construction in the Industrial Group which is controlled from Risley. Arrangements are also being made for the Authority to take over responsibility for the maintenance of their buildings other than their London Headquarters offices. My Ministry will continue for the time being to be responsible for new construction in the Research and Weapons Groups.

What is the cause of this change? The Atomic Energy Authority previously commissioned the Ministry of Works to do all this building work and the Ministry did it exceedingly well. Now apparently it is going out of the hands of the Ministry. Has the Authority no confidence in the Ministry of Works?

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that the Ministry has done exceedingly well, but all nationalised bodies, such as the Coal Board, the British Electricity Authority, the gas boards and so on, do their own building.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that they do their own construction and have their own construction companies, or that when the Atomic Energy Authority want a building put up they invite contractors other than the Ministry of Works to submit estimates?

If they are taking over responsibility for their own building, it will be for them to select their own contractors and carry out the work in the way they think it ought to be done.

The Ministry of Works will no longer be invited to submit estimates and plans as they have in the past and as they have done so well? If so, it will be a ridiculous situation.

That is a matter for the Atomic Energy Authority to decide.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will make a further statement about car parking in the Royal Parks.

I am reviewing the problem with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and the police.

It is taking a very long time. Will the Minister give an assurance, before London traffic is brought to a complete standstill, that he will resist pressure from the Minister of Transport, although we know he is in a bit of a jam, to allow buses, lorries, vans and charabancs to park in the Royal Parks?

All these considerations will be kept in mind.