§ 31. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that in connection with billeting in empty houses extravagant rents are being paid, such, for instance, as a rent at the rate of £350 a year for a cottage at Ramsgate, and for the billeting of forty soldiers in a small house worth £36 a year in a Midland town at rents totalling £4 1s. 6d. a week, or over £200 a year; and who is responsible for such lack of business efficiency?
Mr. BAKERBilleting in empty houses is only resorted to as a temporary arrangement. The flat rate is 3d. per head per night, and may in many cases amount to less than the rent of the premises. For 546 any considerable period a hiring arrangement is made.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWhy were these places taken?