§ MR. THOMAS HEDDERWICK (Wick Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, owing to the absence of adequate barrack accommodation in Dingwall, the county town of Ross-shire, the men of the 3rd battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders (the Ross and Cromarty Militia) have to be annually taken by train to and from Fort George in Inverness-shire, a distance of 28 miles from Dingwall, at a cost of over £200 per annum: that at present there is only barrack accommodation in Dingwall for four sergeants; that the other members of the permanent staff, consisting of two staff sergeants, ten colour sergeants, eight sergeants, and ten drummers, have to find accommodation where they can, at a cost to the country of about £290 per annum; and that the allowance to the sergeants and drummers for such accommodation is only 4d. per diem; whether the Government will increase the allowance to an adequate sum; and whether a scheme for the creation of a depot, with suitable accommodation in Dingwall for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions of the Seaforth Highlanders, is under the consideration of the Govern 676 ment; and, if not, whether such a scheme, if submitted, would receive the favourable consideration of the Government?
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThe question of removing the headquarters of the Seaforth Highlanders has frequently been considered, but as the quarters at Fort George are suitable and are not required for any other purpose, it has been held that the heavy expense involved in building barracks at Dingwall would not be justified. An increase in the rate of lodging allowance for married soldiers is under consideration.