§ MR. BARNES (Glasgow, Blackfriars)On behalf of the hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness I beg to ask the Secretary 1322 of State for War when did the negotiations with the War Office for the sale of Sparkbrook first begin; and what progress had been made in such negotiations when the late Government went out of office.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. BUCHANAN,) Perthshire, E.Negotiations for the sale of Sparkbrook began on November 1st, 1905, by letter and by interview at the War Office. On November 15th the Army Council informed the Treasury that they thought it desirable to enter on negotiations for this purpose. These negotiations were engaged on and proceeded with up to the day on which the late Government resigned.