§ *MR. BURDETT-COUTTS (Westminster)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether the Tidworth barracks are at present occupied, as to the five blocks already utilised, by about 3,000 officers and men together with their wives and families, numbering between 600 and 700 women and children; whether these numbers will soon be increased by the occupation of the three remaining blocks; and whether, in view of the fact that there is no hospital, no school, and no church or chapel available for this large population, and that these requirements were provided for in the original scheme of the late Government, he will, in view of the remote and lonely position of this new permanent military establishment state what steps the Government propose to take to supply these deficiences in the interest of the material and moral welfare of the Army.
§ MR. HALDANEThe numbers of the occupants of these barracks are approximately those stated. Five blocks are occupied, and two more blocks when occupied will increase the garrison roughly to 6,500. As regards the hospital accommodation both temporary and permanent, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for the Andover Division of Hampshire on the 6th ultimo and the 5th instant†to the effect that a scheme for hospital accommodation has been approved and the plans are being pressed forward to enable the work to be commenced early next year. The general officer commanding is utilising spare barrack rooms for schools pending the provision of suitable buildings. No funds are at present available for erecting a church there.
§ *MR. BURDETT-COUTTSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in his opinion the provision of rooms in a barrack not constructed for the purpose is tantamount to providing a satisfactory 1013 hospital; secondly, whether similar accommodation for a large number of children constitutes a satisfactory school; and thirdly, whether he has quite come to the determination that no place of worship of any kind shall be provided for this large population in a permanent military establishment? Also whether this state of things is consistent with the policy indicated by the right hon. Gentleman's recent appointment of a large committee to look after the spiritual and moral welfare of the Army?
§ MR. HALDANEEverything is quite consistent. We are building a special hospital, the schools can be easily provided in the spare barracks, while as to the church the troops are now worshipping in a hall, which I admit has not had much decoration.
§ *MR. BURDETT-COUTTSAre not these parade services, and are women and children allowed to attend them?
§ MR. HALDANEThere is sufficient accommodation for the purpose, although I do not say it is very gorgeous. In order of urgency, however, the hospital stands first, the schools second, and the military church third, and they will be dealt with accordingly.