§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office intend to enclose for their exclusive use about twenty acres of Woolwich Common, which is in the parish of Charlton, in addition to the two acres which he proposes to take for the Royal Army Medical Corps officers' quarters.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) HaddingtonIt is intended to fence in a piece of land adjoining the Royal Military Academy and containing about eighteen acres. This land is required for the training of the increased number of cadets at the Royal Military Academy and for affording the necessary facilities for the drill and recreation of the Cadets.
§ MR. CROOKSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the extreme local feeling there is about this, and is it not likely to lead to a breach of the law if I it is put into operation?
§ MR. HALDANEI do not think so. The land was purchased by the War Office, and we have always done our utmost to make ourselves agreeable to the public.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)Is not this common land? Have the rights of the commoners been considered?
§ MR. HALDANEThe commoners have no rights at all. All that was very carefully considered when we bought the land.
§ MR. CROOKSIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a deputation of the borough council, seeing that there are rights of which the War Office does not appear to be aware?
§ MR. HALDANEIf the borough council will come provided with funds to make good to the War Office any loss they may sustain, I am always prepared to consider a good pecuniary bargain.
§ MR. CROOKSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public have had undisputed rights over this land for 104 years?
§ MR. HALDANEI am advised that the War Office has a perfect title to the land.