§ 21. Mr. Wilfrid Robertsasked the Secretary of State for War why he has decided to take proceedings with a view to evicting the occupiers of houses at C.A.D., Longtown, Cumberland; and whether he will reconsider his decision.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe quarters are urgently required for allocation to War Department constables, whose duties require them to live in the depot, and their families. Preliminary proceedings have been started to obtain a court order for possession. It will be some time after such an order, if it is granted and not complied with, before eviction proceedings are commenced. I regret that I cannot agree to further delay of the proceedings.
§ Mr. RobertsAre not the present occupants employees of the War Department; and does the Minister consider that a private landlord would be justified in taking the action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. ShinwellWe require this accommodation for our own Departmental servants, and it is quite unfair for them to be deprived of accommodation if other and irregular occupants are in possession.
§ Mr. RobertsMay I have an answer to the first part of my supplementary question: are these not employees of the War Department?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am not aware of that.