§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick's)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the site of Mill bank Prison has been recently offered to the London County Council at a price much under the current value of ground in the neighbourhood, the War Office and Treasury will act similarly in respect to the Pigeon House Fort which the Dublin Corporation desire 1727 to acquire, in order to enable them to improve the sanitary condition of the City; and whether, in this negotiation, due consideration will be given to the circumstance that the Richmond Bridewell, now occupied as a barracks, was taken over by the Government without any compensation being allowed to the Municipality, although it was erected at the expense of the citizens, in whose interests the main drainage scheme is urgently required?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThis is an argumentative question which can hardly be replied to in this form. But I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that when Millbank Prison and Richmond Bridewell were surrendered, it was because they were no longer required for their purpose; whereas Pigeon House Fort furnishes accommodation which is absolutely necessary for military purposes, and if it was surrendered compensating accommodation would have to be provided elsewhere.
DR. KENNYIs it not a fact that many barracks have been taken over in Ireland in recent years without payment of any compensation whatever?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have no doubt that that has happened. I say, however, that this case differs from all others, because Pigeon House Fort contains buildings which are absolutely necessary for our purposes, and if we surrender it we must erect buildings at great cost elsewhere.
DR. KENNYIf the sewage effluent would be dangerous to Pigeon House Fort, is not the present sewage system also full of danger?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have answered that question already to-day.