§ 6. Captain R. TERRELLasked the Secretary of State for War if he has investigated the allegations of waste of money and waste of effort at Boulogne in connection with the base commandant's establishment; whether he will inform the 1292 House what steps have been taken to confine expenditure to the lowest possible proportions; how many officers and other ranks are employed by the base commandant; and the total annual cost of this establishment?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs my hon. and gallant Friend will remember, I dealt with this subject at some length in my speech in the House on the 29th October. It is not possible to give calculations of the annual cost of the staff, as the reduction is rapidly and continuously going on.
§ Captain TERRELLIs the base commandant at Boulogne still occupying one of the largest hotels in the town for office purposes?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not know.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI must have notice of that question.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman consider dealing with the subject at some length when he addresses the House in the next few days on Army Estimates?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo; I referred to it when I last addressed the House.
§ Captain TERRELLHas the right hon. Gentleman made any investigation at all in order to reply to my question?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes; I have a great quantity of information.
§ Captain TERRELLDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know if he occupies a hotel or not?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo. Nothing in the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question refers to hotels. If he wishes to ask for information about hotels he should put a notice on the Paper referring to hotels.
Dr. MURRAYIn view of the fact that these hon. Gentlemen on Thursday acquitted the right hon. Gentleman and the Government generally, of waste and extravagance in any shape or form, will he consider the advisability of refusing to answer these questions in future and so avoid waste of money and energy?