§ 64. Mr. Bateyasked the Secretary of State for War why some of the new Militia are being sent to Northern Ireland for training, seeing that there is abundance of vacant land at Tow Law, county Durham, and that the urban district council believe that a training camp would help their village in its long struggle with unemployment?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Hore-Belisha)Militiamen joining infantry regiments are sent, in the first instance, to their regimental depots, of which there are two in Northern Ireland.
§ 65. Mr. Bateyasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the urban district council of Tow Law, county Durham, were desirous that a military camp should be held in their district this year as in former years; and why a camp will not be held, as this village has been hard hit by unemployment and has not received any benefit from the armaments expenditure?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaTow Law is not included in the manoeuvre area where regular units will camp. The location of a Territorial camp at Tow Law was considered, but the preferences of Territorial 2059 Army units have to be taken into account, and I regret that this area was not among those selected.
76. Mr. Palmerasked the Secretary of State for War what basis is adopted for calculating the rate of profit to the contractors who are constructing the Militia camp at Compton Down, Hampshire; and, in particular, whether he will state how the profit is related to labour and other costs?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIn addition to the net prime cost of the work, the contractor receives a lump sum fee for profit, overhead expenses and the use of certain tools. The lowest tender was accepted.
Mr. PalmerAm I right in assuming that there is some incentive to economy on the part of the contractor?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe main incentive here is speed.