§ MR. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now been able to consider the evidence collected in Gibraltar last year from trustworthy witnesses with regard to the urgent necessity for adopting measures for the improvement of the sanitary condition of the city and fortress of Gibraltar; whether Her Majesty's Government, having regard to the importance of providing proper accommodation for the naval and military forces which may from time to time be employed there, will take steps to prevent the grant of leases of Crown lands to private persons or to companies engaged in building speculations; and whether they will consider the desirability of demolishing the 269 buildings which are stated to be a danger to health.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I have considered the Report of the Committee appointed last year by the Secretary of State for War to consider the question of improving the sanitary condition of Gibraltar, and the evidence taken by them. It is proposed, in dealing with Crown lands in Gibraltar, as leases fall in to have regard to the requirements for the accommodation for naval and military officers. The Sanitary Commissioners for Gibraltar have and exercise the power of ordering the destruction of buildings found to be actually dangerous to health; there are also other buildings which it may be desirable to remove with a view to prevent the overcrowding of the city and fortress, and Her Majesty's Government are considering how this may be done.