§ 32. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the East Sussex County Council has been urgently directed to proceed at once with a scheme for building new police headquarters at a cost estimated in peace time to exceed £50,000; and whether, in view of the efficiency and contentment of the police and the desire of the council and the standing joint committee to continue in war time to adapt and make use of the existing accommodation, he will veto this heavy expenditure until more normal conditions return?
§ Sir J. AndersonThese headquarters buildings are quite out of keeping with present-day requirements, and the provision of some improved accommodation is, in my view, essential for the efficiency of this Force. The question of postponing the scheme was carefully considered after the outbreak of war, but the administrative accommodation is so urgently needed that I do not consider postponement of the whole scheme would be justifiable. I should, however, be prepared to agree to a postponement of a part of the scheme which is not so urgent, and the standing joint committee have been so informed.