§ 33. Mr. GEORGE THORNEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are disused Army huts which would be of the greatest service to authorities who are responsible for providing institutional treatment for the large and increasing number of tuberculous discharged soldiers and that the Army authorities refuse to liberate these structures, thus preventing provision being made in the shortest possible time to avoid 1841 the housing of such men in their own homes at the risk of the rest of the family and also in many cases delaying treatment until it is too late to effect a cure?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed that no applications for Army huts to be used to provide institutional treatment for tuberculous patients have been received by the War Office. The Army authorities do not refuse to liberate disused Army huts. All huts that are no longer required are reported to the Disposal Board, Ministry of Munitions, and disposed of under arrangements made by them. Such huts are prominently advertised in the daily papers. A considerable number of hutments are still required by the Army for demobilisation purposes and to accommodate units and equipment returning from abroad, but a steadily increasing quantity of huts is being released.
§ Mr. THORNEWould the right hon. Gentleman be willing to receive a small deputation to show that the facts are as stated in the question?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI shall be quite prepared to take it from my hon. Friend, and I am very disposed to accept his view, but I think we might see how things go before deciding on the procedure of a deputation.
§ Major E. WOODAre these huts being sold by private treaty or by what method?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe War Office have nothing to do with that. They declare whether the huts or other articles are surplus and the Department of my right hon. Friend Lord Inverforth is solely responsible for what follows.