§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for War what was the sum expended in constructing the military road on the South-West Coast of the Isle of Wight, and in purchasing the adjoining War Office lands; whether any negotiations have been or are being carried on with a view to the sale or lease of these properties; and, if so, to whom and at what price?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)According to a paper presented to Parliament in 1867 (Sessional Paper 157) the cost of constructing the road was £16,540. The cost of the lands amounted to £12,115. The road is about to be leased for a term of years. The rent is a nominal one, but the lessee is to make a substituted road at the points at which breaks now exist, and to maintain the whole road in a condition to carry ordinary military traffic, while the War Department is to have full rights of user over the road. A portion of the land originally purchased is also to be sold to the lessees. It is not the practice of the Department to make public the prices at which such sales of land are effected.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman say what new circumstances 1368 have arisen which enable the War Department to do without this land in the Isle of Wight, which previously was necessary for the defence of Portsmouth?
§ Mr. HALDANEI did not say that the War Department would do without the land; what I said was that the maintenance of the road had been taken over by a private person, who was to make a substituted road at the point at which breaks now exist, and to maintain the whole road in a condition to carry ordinary military traffic, while the War Department is to have full rights of user over the road. This will effect a saving, and prevent us sending good money after bad.
§ Mr. ASHLEYDid he not state that he was going to sell a good deal of the land which was going to be used for forts?
§ Mr. HALDANEYes; certain portions that we do not want. We have reconsidered these obsolete arrangements.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman state what the obsolete arrangements are. Are our forts obsolete?
§ Mr. HALDANEI will tell the hon. Member what the obsolete arrangements are. Under the old plan we used to believe that the enemy would come up themselves to a place where our guns could conveniently get at them. We do not hold that view now.
§ Mr. H. MYERIs it not the fact that this road has been constructed for many years?
§ Mr. HALDANEYes; for very many years, and in very bad repair. We are going to save the cost of keeping it in repair.