§ 37. Mr. B. SMITHasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will make further inquiries in connection with the letting of the Gravesend drill hall for a party reunion of the Constitutional Association; whether he is aware that political speeches were delivered and that all profits from the bar were handed over to the committee of the Constitutional Association; that the use of the hall for a fair to be run by the local Labour party was refused; and whether he will give instructions that, in the letting of the drill hall, all parties shall be accorded similar treatment?
§ Captain KINGI have had further inquiries made concerning the use of the drill ha/1 on the occasion in question, and they confirm the information which I gave 227 the hon. Member in answer to his question on the 17th ultimo. The drill hall was let to the Gravesend Constitutional Association for social purposes, and no political speeches were delivered. The profits from the bar were not handed over to the committee of the Constitutional Association, and they will he included in the general expenses account and utilised for the purposes of the Territorial Army. I am informed that the use of the hall for similar purposes has not been refused to the local Labour party. Two applications from the local Labour party have been granted within the last 12 months. There are standing instructions that in the letting of drill halls equal consideration is to be given to all parties.