§ MR. WEIR (ROSS and Cromarty)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the number of theatres open to the public within the walls of barracks in the United Kingdom, and whether such theatres are controlled by the commanding officers; and, if so, under what regulations.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) The theatres within the barracks at Eastney, Chatham, Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Deal form part of the recreation buildings provided for the use of the Royal Marines, and are under the control of the officer commanding the barracks. These theatres are regulated under Section 174 (a) of The Army Act, 1881, and are not 533 open to the public except that there is nothing to prevent the men introducing civilian friends to a limited extent. The naval barracks have no theatres, but they have a stage in their canteens for sing-song performances.