§ 31. Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAINasked the Secretary for War whether he has now made personal inquiry into the necessity for the continued existence of the military organisation at present housed at 29, Cromwell Road, as promised on 2nd April, 1919; and whether he will state the results of such an inquiry?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir, and I have already communicated the result to my hon. Friend.
§ 32. Mr. CHAMBERLAINasked the Secretary of State for War whether the military staff at 29, Cromwell Road are appointed by and responsible to the Joint Road Committee or the War Office; what are the functions of these officers; and whether the work of the Joint Roads. Committee could be done equally well without the assistance of this staff?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe staff which form the administrative branch of the Joint Roads Committee have been appointed by the War Office and are responsible to the War Office, through the Committee. The rest of the question is answered by the communication which I have sent to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSCan the right hon. Gentleman circulate the communication in order that we may know what it is?
§ Mr. BILLINGWould it not be possible to make it part of the answer in the ordinary way?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have sent a, very long letter to my hon. Friend which deals argumentatively with a rather technical and involved matter. If the hon. Gentleman wants it to appear in the records of the House he must put me a question in that sense.
§ Major PRESCOTTHas the right hon. Gentleman invited the opinion of the Road Board as to this military organisation which is at present exercising control over the public highways of this country?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf the hon. Member wants an answer on the subject he had better put a question down. I have answered the question which he originally raised.