§ Order read, for resuming adjourned Debate on Amendment to Question [17th March], "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ Which Amendment was to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."—[Mr. Home]
§ Question again put, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question." Debate resumed.
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Harcourt)Perhaps by the leave of the House I may ask that they would pass the Second Reading in consequence of the announcement, which most of us have seen in the Press, that the Duke of York's School site has now been purchased by the War Office for the use of the Territorial Force in London. I should not have asked the House to proceed in the absence of the hon. Member for Chelsea (Mr. Hoare), the reason for whose absence we all deplore, if it was not that I know that this arrangement meets his view on the matter and the views of those who have expressed opposition to the Bill. I hope the House will allow this stage to pass to-night.
§ Mr. CARLILEWhen the right hon. Gentleman refers to the site of the Duke of York's School, does he refer to the whole of the open space surrounding the school, so that we can understand that none of that is going to be allowed to pass into the hands of the jerry builder?
§ Mr. HARCOURTIt is the whole of the eleven acres, more or less. It is the whole thing which is included in what is known as the Duke of York's site which is to be taken over.
§ Question put, and agreed to; Bill read a second time.
§ Resolved, "That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House."—[Mr. Harcourt.]