HC Deb 23 November 1893 vol 18 cc1538-9
MR. E. H. BAYLEY

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Government invested the sum of £8,000 in buildings at Gibraltar which have; been condemned as insanitary, and have never yielded any return; and will he state with what object this property was bought, from whom, and by whose advice?

MR. S. BUXTON

A freehold site in the New Mole Parade, Gibraltar, surrounded by Crown property, and occupied by old houses, was bought last year for £8,900 by the Colonial Government, on the recommendation of the late Governor, as a suitable site for the erection of houses for public; officials or artisans' dwellings. Owing to lack of funds due to falling revenue, it has not been possible to proceed at present with the proposed buildings, and the old buildings continue to be let to their former tenants. The Secretary of State has received no official information that these buildings have been condemned as insanitary, but he will cause inquiry to be made.