§ 29. Mr. Isaacsasked the Secretary of State for War why the War Office have purchased certain private property in Sydenham Road and Tavistock Road, Croydon, a modern property which will have to be demolished, so involving com pensation, when there are many vacant sites in other parts of Croydon?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe 63rd Searchlight Regiment for which new headquarters is to be provided on this site was formed by the conversion of the 4th Battalion, The Queen's Regiment, which was recruited in Croydon and has always had a close connection with that town. For this reason, it was considered essential that centrally situated headquarters should be provided. In this closely built-up area it proved impossible to find a vacant site, and, after consideration of various alternative sites, it was decided to acquire the one in question, which contained fewer existing buildings than any of the alternatives. With the exception of four houses which are being retained as quarters, the buildings are not modern.