§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Prom whom the purchase of the building at Port Said, acquired for the British Expedition to Egypt, was made; when the purchase was negotiated; whether any Correspondence as to the advisability and propriety of the purchase passed between the Treasury and the Admiralty; and, if so, if he will publish such Correspondence; what is the use now being made of the house; and, whether it is intended to dispose of the premies by sale when no longer used by the British Forces?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, the noble Lord has asked a series of Questions which formed the subject of debate in Committee of Supply on Monday evening, on which occasion the Committee rejected, by 156 votes to 19, an Amendment moved by the noble Lord. I will, however, briefly answer the Question on the Paper, with an apology to the House for occupying its time by a repetition of statements already made. The purchase was made by an agent of the Admiralty from the legal representatives of the late Prince Henry of the Netherlands. The negotiations, which took place in London, were concluded in time to enable Admiral Hoskins to occupy the house when the expeditionary force arrived in the Suez Canal. On grounds of urgency the purchase was made without any correspondence with the Treasury as to the advisability and propriety of the purchase. The house has recently been used for the Royal Marines, and no decision, as already explained, has been come to regarding its future disposal.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLasked whether any correspondence had taken place since the purchase between the Admiralty and the Treasury as to the advisability or propriety of the purchase, and the propriety of making the purchase without consulting them?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANYes, Sir; the sanction of the Treasury has been received for the purchase.