§ LORD CASTLEREAGH (Maidstone)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the War Office, in August, 1904, communicated to the citizens of Norwich the approval of the Army Council to the scheme for building new barracks there, he will say whether the decision of the Army Council not to build new barracks there has yet been communicated to the citizens of Norwich.
§ MR. HALDANENo decision on this Question has been formally announced by the Army Council, but it has been publicly 450 stated that it is not at present proposed to go on with the scheme of building the barracks in question.
§ LORD CASTLEREAGHinquired whether land was not given on condition that barracks should be built, and whether the War Office did not accept the gift under those express conditions.
§ MR. HALDANEI understand that there was a transaction between my predecessor the Member for Croydon and the citizens of Norwich. I am very sorry that the citizens of Norwich should be disappointed, but of course I cannot be bound by that decision of my predecessor on a question of military training in which the interests of the Army as a whole have to be looked to.
§ *MR. LEHMANN (Leicestershire, Market Harborough)What was the promised contribution of Norwich, and what was the estimated cost of the barracks?
§ MR. HALDANEL believe that the value of the ground presented by the citizens of Norwich was about £5,000, and the cost of the barracks would be from £150,000 to,£200,000.
§ LORD CASTLEREAGHAre the Army Council entitled to change their minds and policy?
§ *MR. HALDANEThe Army Council are entitled to change their policy whenever they get larger lights.
§ LORD CASTLEREAGHAre not the Government bound to carry out their promises?
§ MR. HALDANEReally, does the noble Lord suggest that we should set aside the whole question of the brigade training of the cavalry in this country for individual convenience?