§ MR. SUMMERBELLTO ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware 38 that a contract, dated 10th January, 1899, between the officer commanding the 5/68th Regimental District and Mr. W. Key was entered into to the effect that Mr. W. Key, of Sunderland, having purchased the wooden buildings on the camping ground at Whitley which were used as a temporary church, store, sergeants' mess, canteens, etc., for the sum of £300, it was agreed to pay him the sum of £6 6s. per annum as rental for such buildings, and, further, that the military authorities should keep the building in a good state of repair, Mr. Key having now the sole right of supplying malt liquors at contract prices to the 5/68th Regimental District; will he say whether such purchase was made and a sum of only £12 12s. paid (two years' rent), the contract being cancelled without any further payment being made to Mr. Key; and, if so, what action he is taking in the matter with a view to a settlement of the same.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) This matter is now being investigated.