23. Mr. PONSONBYasked whether, in granting a site to the Dunfermline School Board for the erection of a school in the Rosyth area, the Admiralty have attached conditions to the Grant which are objected to by the board; whether those conditions include the fixing of a rent higher than the letting value of similar land in the neighbourhood, and a proposal for a revaluation in five years' time with a view to ascertaining the fair market value; and whether, in view of the fact that the school is to be erected for the exclusive accommodation and benefit of children brought to the district by the establishment of the Admiralty works now in process of construction, and ultimately for the children of permanent employés of the Admiralty, the Board of Admiralty will alter their decision, and either grant the site in question to the school board rent free or for a purely nominal sum?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAA suitable site within the area of the land owned by the Admiralty has been marked off for a school. The Dunfermline School Board are prepared to erect temporary premises upon this site, proceeding thereafter with the erection of a permanent school. Questions have arisen with regard to the 1897 amount of feu to be charged, both during the occupation of the site by the temporary premises and hereafter in perpetuity. Although the matter is not solely in the hands of the Board of Admiralty, I do not contemplate any difficulty in arriving at terms in regard to the feu for the period of time during which the temporary buildings are in occupation. As regards the permanent feu, we have suggested to the Dunfermline School Board that the matter should be dealt with upon the commencement of the erection of the permanent school on the basis of a feu which should represent the fair market rental, the matter to be decided in the absence of mutual agreement by a joint valuation or by arbitration.
Mr. PONSONBYIs it not possible for the Admiralty to feu the land in perpetuity at once to the Dunfermline School Board for the erection of the school, which is a pressing necessity?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think that there is any difficulty about a temporary school. We are quite prepared to go into the question of the valuation as soon as possible, but I can give no assurance on the point.
Mr. PONSONBYDoes the Admiralty desire by this valuation to get what it can out of the Dunfermline School Board, and does my right hon. Friend think it right for the Admiralty to haggle over a few pounds for the accommodation of the children when they are spending £1,000,000 there?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe matter is not so simple as my hon. Friend thinks. If the local authority receive a contribution in lieu of rates in respect of this land, it seems to me that the land is on the same footing as the land of a private owner, whatever the purpose for which it is used.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot turn his question into an argument. The question is intended to elicit information, and not for the purpose of having an argument.