§ Mr. MUNRO-FERGUSONI should be glad to hear from the representative of the War Office whether it is intended to proceed with the building of the Redford Barracks, near Edinburgh. These barracks have been a very long time building. The cavalry barracks are a magnificent shell, but I understand there is no pros- 1050 pect of troops going into them for some time to come. If there is a surplus on the Buildings Vote, I think some of it might be advantageously devoted towards the completion of those barracks. In Scotland we have to find a great number of recruits for the Regular regiments, and it is rather a curious policy that Scotland should remain denuded of Regular troops, for this has been long felt to be a grievance. We expected that these barracks would have been finished long before now, and as there seems to be plenty of money available, I do not see any reason why the building of these barracks should not be flushed on so as to be ready for immediate occupation. This matter excites considerable interest in Scotland and the War Office cannot rely on getting their Regular troops unless they can see their way to maintain some regiments in that country.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEWe have had a number of promises from the Secretary for War with reference to the Redford Barracks, but so far nothing at all has been done. This is a matter of great urgency for various reasons, because we require at once some proper accommodation in Scotland for both the Cavalry and the Infantry. I hope the Financial Secretary to the War Office will be able to tell us, in the first place, the building of these barracks is really being pushed on; and secondly, I should like to say why it is necessary that the £75,000 which has been saved should go back to the Treasury. It looks as though the Department had been told that this Vote had been underestimated, and that anything they could do to pair off expenditure in any way would be gratefully received. I know that already requests have been made for more money to be spent for different things. There is the question of the Soldiers' Home in regard to which the Secretary for War told us a few days ago that the matter has been put before him, and would have his consideration. I ask the Financial Secretary to pause before he gives back to the Treasury the £75,000, because if he does give it back he will never see it again. There are plenty of useful purposes upon which it could be spent, in Scotland if it, is not wanted in any other part of the Kingdom.
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker)I think the Noble Lord opposite suggested that we had taken the £75,000 for other purposes. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] I 1051 explained only two days ago exactly how it was we came to have that saving. It is always an extremely difficult thing to make an accurate forecast of new works. I hope in future arrangements we shall get a closer approximation of the actual sum required. With regard to the Redford Barracks, I think the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Leith Burghs (Mr. Munro-Ferguson) has rather underestimated the amount of progress we have made there. We have made some progress, but if great progress is not being made now, it is not due to our failure to spend money. There are a number of difficulties connected with the matter which it is not advisable to discuss at present, but we are overcoming them, and we hope to push on with the work very speedily. I think the hon. Member is aware that when these barracks are completed, it is believed they will be probably the finest barracks in the world.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House for to-morrow (Thursday).