HC Deb 26 March 1946 vol 421 cc190-1
24. Mr. J. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that in Toulon transit camp soldiers are required to sleep in tents; that these conditions prevailed throughout the winter months; and what steps he proposes to take to improve these conditions.

Mr. Lawson

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friends the Members for Northampton (Mr. Paget) and North Portsmouth (Major Bruce) on 19th February. Conditions at this camp were made extremely difficult during the winter months by the exceptionally bad weather, which also had the effect of holding up work on the construction of accommodation. With the milder weather, conditions have now improved considerably, and good progress has been made in completing the necessary accommodation. By the beginning of this month the sergeants' messes were complete and in use, 85 per cent. of the dining huts were in use and 230 of the 276 sleeping huts were also in use. Except in a small number of the sleeping huts electric lighting was complete throughout the camp and functioning satisfactorily. I hope that by the beginning of April the work will have been finished.

Mr. Medland

is my right hon. Friend aware that that is precisely the same reply he gave me two months ago?

Mr. Lawson

I have said that owing to the physical conditions work had been held up