§ 19. Major HILLSasked the Secretary of State for War whether he intends to complete the scheme for building barracks at Durham, in order that the Durham Light Infantry may have a depot within their own county?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe scheme referred to will be proceeded with as soon as the financial situation permits, but at present no funds are available for the purpose.
§ Major HILLSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the County of Durham raised 43 battalions during the War out of a population of 1,500,000, and does he not think it would encourage recruiting to establish a depot of this famous regiment inside their own county?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe services of the County of Durham are well recognised in the War Office, and it is the intention to establish this depot, this barracks, as soon as the finances are available, but the hon. Member knows that it is not desirable to spend money unnecessarily at the present moment. It will be put in hand as soon as circumstances permit.
§ Major HILLSCould any expenditure be more necessary than the comparatively small amount required to build a barracks in Durham?