HC Deb 03 July 1907 vol 177 cc687-8
MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what steps, if any, have been taken to provide reasonable accommodation in the sergeants' mess at Queen's Barracks, Perth, in view of the fact that there is scarcely standing room when the mess is used by Volunteer sergeant instructors, Militia permanent staff sergeants, and depot sergeants.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. BUCHANAN,) Perthshire, E.

Sanction was given in February last for the provision of an additional room of 504 feet superficial area.

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

On behalf of the hon. Member for the Hoxton Division of Shoreditch, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the official reports show the officers' quarters at Queen's Barracks, Perth, to be satisfactory; whether representations have been made as to the necessity of extensive repairs; and, if so, when were such representation made.

On behalf of the same hon. Member, I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War whether there is a corporals' room in Queen's Barracks, Perth; and whether the corporals in Queen's Barracks, Perth, at present mess with the privates.

MR. BUCHANAN

I will answer this and the subsequent Question together. No representations have been made as to the necessity of extensive repairs to these officers' quarters at Perth. The repainting of the quarters was the only service specifically referred to the War Office for execution during the present year, and funds are available for that purpose. There is a corporals' room in connection with the canteen at Perth, but the corporals and privates mess together, as is not unusual in the service.