§ SIR JOHN SWINBURNE (Staffordshire, Lichfield)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the case that Her Majesty's Government contemplate, or have any intention of, selling or letting to any person or persons, Company, or Association of persons, any portion of the Crown Lands in the neighbourhood of Aldershot?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)Lands which are technically called Crown Lands are not under my control; but if the hon. Baronet refers to land belonging to the War Department near Aldershot, I can say that there is no proposal to sell or let, but only to grant the user of certain land for certain limited and defined purposes.
§ SIR JOHN SWINBURNEasked, whether it was the intention of the Government to let or sell, or grant a user of, any land near Aldershot to the National Rifle Association without giving an opportunity to the House of expressing an opinion whether such a proceeding would be right and proper?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEIf a Vote is required the House will, of course, be afforded an opportunity of discussing the question before it is finally settled; but if no Vote is wanted there will be no necessity for the opinion of the House being taken.
§ SIR JOHN SWINBURNEasked, whether, in the opinion of the Government, property let at a nominal rent did not amount to the same thing as a grant of money?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEThe hon. Member assumes the fact that there is to be land let at a nominal rent. I have already told him that there is no proposal to let the land.
§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that he distinctly said, in answer to a Question of mine the other day, that Parliament should be consulted, not only before any grant of money, but before any grant of land was made?
§ MR. E. STANHOPECertainly; but I never said anything about a grant or user of land.
§ SIR JOHN SWINBURNEinquired, whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that a site at Cannock Chase had been offered to the National Rifle Association free of all charge?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEI am perfectly well aware of it; but whether or not it is a suitable site is a matter for the Association, not for me.