§ 55. Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSasked whether a cottage at Shoreham, Kent, belonging to the hon. Member for the Totnes Division of Devon, which had been empty for three years, and formerly let for £7 a year, has been taken by the War Office at £4 10s. a week, or £234 a year, without asking the owner what (if anything) he wanted for it?
§ Mr. H. BAKERI am informed that on five separate occasions last autumn from forty to fifty men occupied this cottage and an empty room over the stable for periods not exceeding six days. The ordinary billeting rate of 3d. per man per night was paid, it being difficult to arrange hirings for such short periods. The cottage has not been occupied by the troops for the past two months, as other billets are available for small parties, and it is now let privately.
§ Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTShad given notice of the following question:—
56. To ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a mill at Alloa, Perthshire, which has been empty and unused for twelve years, has been taken by the War Office at a rent of £100 per week, and also another mill close by, which has been empty and derelict for twenty-five years, at a rent of £750 per month; and, if so, why such rents were agreed to?
§ Mr. ROBERTSI wish to point out that there is a mistake in this question.
§ Mr. EUGENE WASONAs the hon. Member has had his geography corrected by the hon. Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir George Younger) as to the county in which the mill is situated, I would like to ask whether the Territorial Association has anything whatever to do with this matter?
§ Mr. BAKERPerhaps my answer will satisfy my right hon. Friend. The rent paid in the first case is about one-third of that stated in the question, and is subject to review at the end of six months. I am inquiring into the second case.
§ Mr. ROBERTSI hope that the hon. Gentleman will believe that the information which I received came from a bonâ fide source.