§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I beg to ask the question which stands in my name upon the Order Paper.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether any premises belonging to the Territorial Army are still occupied by Government Departments other than the War Office and, if so, what steps are being taken to accelerate their return.]
§ LORD AMMONMy Lords, eight Territorial Association drill halls are still occupied by other Government Departments. It is hoped that it will be possible to arrange for the early return of all these premises, but, of course, other Government Departments are also faced with serious accommodation problems.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, whilst thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask whether he will impress upon the War Office the need for accelerating the return of these drill halls for normal training purposes, which need will be increased in view of the sudden and unwelcome announcement which has appeared in the Sunday papers that the period of camp for annual training is to be reduced from fifteen to eight days?
§ VISCOUNT LONGMy Lords, arising out of that reply, may I ask if the noble Lord will be so good as to ask the War Office to set a good example by returning these drill halls at the earliest opportunity?. I refer especially to the case of 452 Regiment, R.A. Further to that, would the noble Lord convey to the Secretary of State for War that it is hardly helping the cause of the Territorial Army that Territorial Associations and Commanding Officers should learn of reports as to what is going to happen in regard to training camps and so on, through the Sunday Press and through newspapers published on Monday morning?
§ LORD AMMONMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Mancroft, may take it that the desire which he expresses is being borne in upon the War Office pretty insistently. The view which is expressed that they should relinquish these premises as soon as possible is thoroughly well appreciated. I will certainly call the attention of the Minister to the remarks 1017 of the noble Viscount, but it must be borne in mind that opportunities may have to be afforded for other Departments to decide whether or not they require the use of such premises. Your Lordships may be assured that the general pressure which is being manifest in this matter is well understood, and that what has been said in this House will be conveyed to the proper quarters.
§ VISCOUNT BRIDGEMANMay I say with regard to this matter—
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONI must ask the noble Viscount please to remember the rules. General discussions do not arise on starred questions. It is usual to ask only questions arising out of the answers.
§ VISCOUNT BRIDGEMANI beg the noble Viscount's pardon. Arising out of the answer which has been given to the noble Lord's question, may I remind the noble Lord that Territorial Association drill halls were established for a particular purpose—namely, the training of Territorials—and that that purpose should come first in regard to their postwar use?