§ 37. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for War what modernisation has taken place since 1945 in the barracks and married quarters at Gibraltar.
§ Mr. ProfumoAbout £700,000 has been spent since 1945 on new constructions, improvements and modernisation.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the conditions in barracks at Gibraltar are on all-fours with those in Germany and in this country?
§ Mr. ProfumoNo, I am not. The only really satisfactory solution in Gibraltar is new building, since most of the property housing the troops is too old for modernisation. This rebuilding must be linked with the new town plan for the garrison and for this the plan is well advanced.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsHow soon will the plan come into operation?
§ Mr. ProfumoI am afraid that I cannot give any estimate of that. It depends on the Gibraltar authorities. It might be that my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary can give a more adequate answer. We are anxious to press ahead, but we must do so in combination with the Gibraltar authorities.
§ Mr. M. FootIs the right hon. Gentleman inviting a Spanish general or admiral or even General Franco to open the new barracks?