HC Deb 20 October 1908 vol 194 cc924-6
MR. WALTER LONG (Dublin, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to acquire more land for military purposes in the neighbourhood of Salisbury Plain; and, if so, whether this House will have any opportunity to consider the matter before definite steps are taken.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) Haddington

It is proposed to acquire an additional area of land adjoining existing War Department property on Salisbury Plain for the purpose of an artillery range. I do not think I should be carrying out the wishes of the House when it passed the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act if I failed to take such steps as were essential for securing the efficiency of the Territorial Force. The immediate provision of an artillery range in the South of England is an absolute necessity, and I should not consider myself justified in agreeing to any delay with regard to it. The House will have an opportunity of discussing this purchase on next year's Estimates, but I do not think I should be doing what is right or what the public interest requires were I to suspend action until that time.

MR. WALTER LONG

pressed for an answer whether the House would have an opportunity of discussing the question whether the land selected by the Government was the most suitable for the purpose, and whether land of a more suitable character could not be obtained without carrying out a wholesale system of evictions.

MR. HALDANE

said that he had carefully inquired into all the circumstances, and he was satisfied that the mass of public opinion was entirely in favour of the action the department had taken. He could not suspend what was necessary action in behoof of the Territorial Forces.

MR. WALTER LONG

asked whether the House was to understand that this proposal involving grave hardship was to be carried out without an opportunity being given to the House to discuss it.

MR. HALDANE

said that it was a question of purchasing four houses and, 5,500 acres from willing sellers.

MR. WALTER LONG

No.

MR. HALDANE

said as far as he knew this was the case; at any rate, no notice had been given of any serious opposition. He was satisfied that in no other way could he provide for the efficiency of the Territorial Forces, and with the hope of progress being made before next summer. The War Office had taken the utmost pains to provide for those who wanted small holdings and compensation for those affected.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)

On what Vote is this expenditure to be charged?

MR. HALDANE

said that the purchases would be made under powers contained in the Public Works Loans Act of last year.

MR. WALTER LONG

Are we to understand that the Government proposes to carry this out without giving the House any opportunity of discussing it until the whole operation has been completed?

MR. HALDANE

The House passed the Public Works Loans Act last summer for the very purpose of enabling the Territorial Associations to acquire ranges. It is under those powers that we are proceeding. We are taking every step in our power to prevent hardship. Everywhere the War Office goes for land it is met with this kind of objection and prices are raised. I must really be allowed some discretion. I am blamed at one moment for not going fast enough, and whenever I move I am pulled up.

MR. GOULDING (Worcester)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great distress exists among aged agricultural labourers, who have lost their avocation by reason of the purchase, and are at the present time in want?

MR. HALDANE

The hon. Member appears to be a little mixed. The purchase has not yet been carried out.

MR. GOULDING

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether the negotiations carried out by him on behalf of the War Office have not already led to the dismissal of a great number of aged agricultural labourers; and if so, whether, when awarding compensation, he will see that compensation is paid to them?

*MR. SPEAKER

If the hon. Member will look at the Paper he will see that he is getting a very long way from the Question.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

May I ask a further Question.?

*MR. SPEAKER

We have had eight supplementary Questions already.