Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the total number of huts which have been constructed in this country for Army use and the number of such huts at present fully utilised for Army purposes; and whether, in view of the successful experiments recently carried out by the Munitions Inventions Department in converting an Army hut for living purposes, steps have been or are proposed to be taken to transfer suitable huts not needed for the Army with a view to their being converted for housing purposes pending the completion of a permanent scheme?
Captain GUESTI regret I am not able to give the actual number of huts which have been erected, but hutted accommodation for approximately 1,100,000 officers and men exists in this country. This is at present either occupied by troops quartered in this country or reserved for units and equipment en route from abroad. Such huts as are from time to time surplus to Army require-1700W ments are handed over to the Disposal Board, Ministry of Munitions, and during the past three months, a small but steadily increasing number have been so handed over for disposal. The reason the number is not larger is that industrial, educational and private premises previously used as stores and billets are being vacated, and it is necessary to utilise the hutment camps instead. I understand that the Ministry of Munitions will advertise the huts available, and private individuals who desire them for housing or other purposes will have opportunities of purchasing them direct from Disposal Board.