§ 67. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that many of our wounded officers and men are housed in places not so commodious and net so completely fitted with all modern appliances and comforts as Donington Hall, he will transfer the German prisoners, namely, the German officers and their eighty servants now occupying Donington Hall, to other quarters, and will give directions that Donington Hall shall in future be occupied by wounded officers or men belonging to our own Armies or those of our Allies?
§ Mr. TENNANTOn behalf of the medical authorities I must repudiate the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that our wounded officers and men, and those of our Allies who may be in this country, are not receiving all proper attention in the matter of accommodation. The provision of such accommodation is not dependent, either directly or indirectly, on whether Donington Hall is or is not assigned to prisoners of war.
§ Mr. BUTCHERI made no such suggestion in my question. My question was whether it would be better to hand over Donington Hall, with all its conveniences, to our own soldiers rather than to Germans?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf the hon. Gentleman will look at his question he will see that it says—
in view of the fact that many of our own wounded officers and men are housed in places not so commodious and not so completely fitted with all modern appliances and comforts as Donington Hall.
§ Mr. BUTCHERHear, hear!
§ Mr. TENNANTWell, I repudiate that suggestion.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman say that none of our officers are housed in less commodious quarters?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir.
§ 68. Mr. McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the rent of £500 per annum agreed to be paid by the Government for the use of Donington Hall is in respect of a leasehold tenancy; and, if so, for what term of years?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe rent referred to is for a tenancy during such time as the exigencies of the public service shall require, and the Department has power to terminate the tenancy at short notice.
§ Sir MAURICE LEVYHow long?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am afraid I do not know.
§ Mr. McNEILLCan the hight hon. Gentleman say whether or not the owners of Donington Hall can terminate the tenancy without notice?
§ Sir M. LEVYCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us who is the owner of Donington Hall?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not know.
§ Mr. McNEILLIn the event of the tenancy being terminated at short notice by the owners of Donington Hall will the Government recover anything like the large sum of money expended upon it?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware how the contract affects the owner that way. My statement was, "that the Department has power to terminate the tenancy at short notice."
§ Mr. McNEILLWould the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the same power rests in the hands of the owner of Donington Hall; also what is the provision of this expenditure of money in the event of the tenancy being terminated at short notice?
§ Mr. TENNANTCertainly; but the hon. Gentleman might put the question on the Paper.
§ Sir M. LEVYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Donington Hall belongs to a brother of an hon. Member who sits on the opposite side of the House?
§ Mr. TENNANTI was not aware of that.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTWill the right hon. Gentleman at once abandon all feelings and considerations of humanity, and hand over these German officers to the care of the hon. Member opposite?
§ Mr. McNEILLrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is hardly desirable to indulge in these exchanges.