§ 59. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the waste and ruin of Government property and stores taking place on the Government estate at Gretna; whether he will state the estimated value of the stores and fittings at the date of the decision to dispose of the property; what sums have been received for stores sold; and what is the estimated value of the stores still on hand?
Mr. GRAHAMAs regards the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I am advised that all reasonable steps to conserve Government property and stores at Gretna have been taken. It was necessary to burn certain buildings which were contaminated by highly dangerous explosives as it was impossible to sell or otherwise deal with these buildings. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the factory at Gretna was only declared surplus to War Office require- 1734 ments in September, 1921, but sales of surplus stores had been proceeding there since the Armistice. The proceeds of sales at Gretna since the Armistice amount to approximately £2,000,000; but these sales include certain stores, e.g., railway rolling stock, which were concentrated at Gretna from other places, and it would be impossible without an examination of accounts, which in the present depleted condition of staff I am afraid I could not agree to undertake, to give exact figures for the stores pertaining to Gretna itself. The estimated value of the stores still on hand, apart from real property and fixed plant, which it is hoped to sell at auction in July, is about £200,000.
§ 60. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many dwelling houses are untenanted in the townships of Gretna and Eastriggs; if he is aware that these dwelling houses are falling into disrepair; if applications have been received for small holdings by the Disposal Board; and why such applications have been refused?
Mr. GRAHAMThere are at present 25 brick houses and 80 wooden bungalows vacant at Gretna, and 46 brick houses and 59 wooden bungalows at Eastriggs. I am advised that reasonable steps have been taken to prevent these houses falling into disrepair. No applications have been received for small holdings by the Disposal Board.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLECould not some of these houses be let?
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEWill the hon. Member insert advertisements in the Scottish papers?
Mr. GRAHAMAll kinds of advertisements have been inserted, in order to dispose of this property or to let it, but we have been unable to do better than has been done up to the present time.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the hon. Member aware that he cannot get these houses occupied until he makes use of the works that are going to waste there, which could be used in a hundred different ways, and is he going to take the trouble to see 1735 those works put into operation producing something that will not only benefit the community but give the houses a chance of being let?
Mr. GRAHAMI cannot give the rents without notice, but I do know that the rents are no higher than is usually charged in the district. As regards the supplementary question put by the hon. Member for Springburn (Mr. Hardie), I can only say that it is the settled policy to dispose of this property and, consequently, I am unable to suggest anything as to Government use of Gretna. An auction will be held next month in order to dispose of the property.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that millions of pounds worth of public property are going to rot and rust there, as is obvious to everybody who passes on the railway train, and can he say how long the Government are going to sit supinely by while this waste is going on?
Mr. GRAHAMIt is quite true that there is a very large amount of valuable property at this centre, but I would remind my hon. Friend that every effort has been made to dispose of the property, and an offer cannot be obtained.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the hon. Member aware that we could use the works in making every kind of light castings materials required for houses, and that that would he more effective than any Bill imposing penalties upon those who overcharge us for building materials, and will not the Government see that that is done, instead of the works being sold?
§ Sir CHARLES STARMERWill the hon. Member ask the Government to consider the question of utilising these premises for housing married soldiers and so save the spending of £400,000 in building houses at Catterick?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot now go into that matter.