§ 89. Mr. HOGGEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in many billets beds are only provided on the floor, and as many as six men are sometimes placed in one room; and whether any regular inspection is made of the men's billets?
§ Mr. TENNANTMattresses or palliasses are accepted in place of beds where separate beds are not available in billets. The number of men to be placed in a room is, of course, dependent on the superficial area of the floor space, and 400 cubic feet is the standard considered 805 sufficient. The regulations provide that billets shall be inspected with great regularity.
§ Mr. H. SMITHMight not some of the luxuries at Donington Hall be disposed of for the benefit of our own men?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf the hon. Member is so familiar with the luxuries at Donington Hall, perhaps he will give me a specimen?
§ 102. Mr. R. GWYNNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the 4th and 5th Suffolks paid 2s. 6d. per week per four men billeted in occupied houses at Mile End, Colchester; and, if so, whether, seeing that this rate is 18s. 6d. a week below the only authorised billeting rate in occupied houses, the difference will be paid to the owners of the houses, and when?
Mr. BAKERI find that in this case voluntary arrangements were temporarily made for the use of unfurnished rooms in certain houses at 2s. 6d. a week, four men in each room. Since 15th January this has been superseded by statutory billeting at the statutory rates.
§ Mr. GWYNNECan the hon. Gentleman say whether these people were told that they would have got much more if they had asked for it?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt was a voluntary agreement between the parties.