§ MR. HICKS BEACH (Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the barracks at Kingston-on-Thames, eleven miles from Hyde Park Corner and twelve miles from the War Office, the barrack rooms are still unprovided with lavatory conveniences, and the men are forced to use urinal tubs which have to be removed by hand; and whether he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.
§ MR. HICKS BEACHTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that at the barracks at Kingston-upon-Thames, in order to reduce the expense of water, the water-closets used by the men are only allowed to be flushed twice a day; and whether, with a view to preventing the discouragement of recruiting and in the interests of health, he proposes to make any alterations in the existing system.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The drainage at Kingston Barracks is at present under reconstruction, and, as part 753 of that reconstruction, the whole of the latrines, urinals, etc., used by the troops will in future be in accordance with modern sanitation. Urine tubs for night use are retained as a temporary measure. The existing water-closets are flushed twice daily without any stint of water, but when the new system is in order will be flushed as used.