§ SIR THOMAS BATESONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the site at Millbank has been at any time reported on by a Board of Military Medical Officers, with a view to the location there of one of the Household Cavalry Regiments; and, if so, whether their report was favourable or otherwise; whether many tons of ammunition are not frequently stored in the magazine in Hyde Park, with only a. non-commissioned officer's guard in charge; and, whether on these grounds the late Duke of Wellington was not opposed to the removal of Knightsbridge Barracks?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, I have always understood that the Duke of Wellington was favourable to the continuance of Knightsbridge Barracks on their present site. If they shall at any time be removed, it will not be on military grounds, but for other and very different reasons. The fitness of the site at Millbank on sanitary grounds was much canvassed some years ago before the Embankment on the opposite side of the river was made. If at any time Parliament shall be asked to sanction the erection of a barrack on that site, full information of the state of the question as regards the sanitary considerations will no doubt be laid before it. In the meantime, I am informed by the Director of Convict Prisons that it is now a remarkably healthy place. Ammunition for the Guards and Volunteers is kept in the magazine under a sergeant's guard. The hon. Member is welcome to the Return on the subject of which he has given Notice.
§ SIR THOMAS BATESONsaid, the right hon. Gentleman had not answered his Question in reference to the Board of Military Medical Officers.
§ MR. CARDWELLI will not enter into the details of this subject, because it has been much canvassed; and, in order that the House may be able to form a correct judgment respecting it, all the Papers ought to be on the Table. There was a Committee of Officers a long time ago, of which, I think, Sir Hope Grant was the President, and which condemned the site at Millbank on sanitary grounds. The matter was afterwards referred to the Army Sanitary Committee, and their Report was of a different character, being favourable to the site on the whole, provided certain objectionable buildings were removed on the opposite side of the river. The Embankment on the opposite side of the river has been made in the interval, and therefore the House will not be able to form a judgment without being in possession of the whole of the Papers. When a proposal is made on the subject, no doubt those Papers will be laid before the House.