§ 36. Mr. SEXTONasked the Secretary -of State for War, if he is aware that the-tenants of 16 houses owned by his Department situated at Abbot's Field Lane, Sutton, St. Helen's, Lancashire, have received notice to quit; and if, in view of the fact that these people at the end of the week's notice will be rendered homeless owing to the, great shortage of houses in the district, he will consider it advisable to provide adequate housing 234 accommodation or suspend the notice until such time as such accommodation is procurable?
§ Captain KINGI am aware that these notices have been given. Owing to their situation the cottages cannot continue to be occupied without risk. The tenants have had long warning of the Department's intention and I regret that in the circumstances I could not consent to the suspension of the notices.
§ Mr. SEXTONWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman state the nature of the risk, and in view of the fact that these 16 houses are habitable, what is the reason these people are being removed? What is the danger?
§ Captain KINGI cannot agree that the houses are in a habitable condition. They are in a very dilapidated condition. The risk, as the hon. Member is probable very well aware, is that they actually adjoin the experimental factory of poison gas and we do not think it is right to subject the inhabitants of these cottages and their children to any possible risk.
Mr. SEXTON: Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that some of these people have lived there for 50 years, and that the innovation of the poison gas factory was a war emergency, and now that the emergency for poisoning people has gone, will he remove the poison gas factory and leave these people in the houses?
§ Captain KINGI cannot give that undertaking.
§ Mr. MACKINDERAre these cottages being removed so that the poison gas factory can be extended?
§ Captain KINGNo, that is not the intention. I have stated the true facts. We do not consider it is fair to let these people take any risk.
§ Mr. SEXTONThey have nowhere to go.