§ 23. Mr. RONALD McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the camp at Westenhanger, in Kent, was completed in May, 1915. at a cost of about £40,000, having been built for an Artillery 1369 Brigade; whether it was discovered a few months later that the place was unsuitable for Artillery and in January, 1916, was converted into an Infantry and medical school, so that stabling for 1,000 horses and concrete gun sheds which had been erected have never been used; whether, in October, 1917, the medical school was turned out and the Royal Flying Corps installed in its place; whether, while the medical school was moving out, the camp was being thoroughly drained at a cost of some £l,500; whether a light railway was constructed to connect the camp with the aerodrome at Lympe although it was not to be used as an adjunct of the aerodrome; whether the camp was lit throughout by electric light, was thoroughly drained and provided with septic tanks, and with well-made roads running through it in all directions; whether immediately on the Royal Flying Corps taking possession nearly all the buildings were pulled down and the materials disposed of; and, if so, whether he can give any explanation of the dealing with the camp which will allay the indignation expressed in the locality at what is considered to be a squandering of public money through incompetent administration?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI regret that in the time available it has not been possible for me to complete my inquiries into this matter, but I will communicate further with my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.