§ 14 and 15. Sir Gifford Foxasked the Secretary of State for War (1) the intentions of his Department in respect to the village club at Woodcote; whether he is aware that this is the only useful meeting place for residents and evacuees in the winter evenings; and whether he will discountenance any attempt to requisition it, or at least leave the villagers some part of the club premises;
(2) the policy of his Department in requisitioning village halls for military purposes; how many such halls have already been taken over or are about to be taken over; whether he is aware that the problem in all villages where there are 1722 evacuees is to secure some place of meeting during the long winter nights; and whether, considering the sacrifices made by country residents, he will show them special consideration in respect of the use of their halls?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIt has been necessary to take a large number of village halls for military purposes, but instructions have been issued that, in cases where suitable alternative accommodation can be made available, village halls which are required for social entertainment or other similar purposes should be vacated. As regards Woodcote, I have not previously received any representations, but alternative accommodation has now been found.
§ Mr. R. C. MorrisonWill the right hon. Gentleman issue an instruction to his officers that before they commandeer property which belongs to local authorities it might be to the interest of the Army and save much unnecessary bad feeling if they were first to consult with the local authorities?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaYes, Sir, I quite agree, and in the press immediately following the outbreak of war some injustices may have been done. I do not know the circumstances of this particular case, but instructions have now been issued that where possible this principle should be borne in mind, and only in cases of urgent necessity should local needs be overridden.