§ MR. RAWLINSON (Cambridge University)To ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he can say how soon the War Office will come to a decision upon the question of the repair of the Ely Barracks; and whether it is intended 396 that in the interval the permanent staff shall continue to reside in the barracks which have been declared by the War Office to be insanitary; and whether the War Office are still continuing to pay rent for the barracks despite their present condition.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) As regards the first part of the Question the matter is under consideration. As regards the second part, I am not aware that the barracks have been declared insanitary; although the drains require reconstruction, the barracks are still being occupied. The Answer to the last paragraph is in the affirmative. The barracks are held on a lease, which can be broken on twelve months notice, if it is decided not to keep them.