18. Mr. GILBERTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his Department still retains the use of Deptford Cattle Market; if he will state for what period of years it is held from the City Corporation, and on what terms; whether his Department has been approached as to releasing the buildings at once, so that they can be used again for a market; and if his Department can now give up use of the buildings without inconvenience to the Service?
The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Gwynne)This area is still retained on a lease at £10,000 a year expiring on 31st August, 1926, unless determined before at six months' notice. The Department has recently been approached in the matter by the borough councils of Greenwich and Deptford. As indicated in my predecessor's reply of 11th December to the hon. Member for Deptford, it had already been decided to negotiate with the landlords with a view to surrendering about half the area. A reply from the landlords is now awaited. The rest of the area, comprising approximately its western half, is still required.