§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that the new War Office in Whitehall will accommodate a larger staff than required if effect be given to the proposed scheme of decentralisation, will he state whether the building is too far advanced to admit of the structure and internal fittings being so altered as to effect economy in its cost, and will he state the contract price, and by what date the contractors have undertaken to complete the work.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI am afraid that the hon. Member is mistaken in his fact. The accommodation in the new building would have proved insufficient for properly housing the present staff which is an increase on the establishment existing when the final plans were approved. The reductions following on the scheme of decentralisation will probably still leave the building none too large for the future staff. The date for completion of the work is the 25th June, 1906.