§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to erect new premises for the Navy and Army Canteens Board at Aldershot; if so, whether he can state the necessity for this building, in view of the fact that the garrison at Aldershot has diminished since the Armistice; and whether, in view of the shortage of labour for the housing programme of the Government, he will give directions that this building be not proceeded with?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONIn order that the business of the Navy and Army Canteens Board may be placed on an economic basis when on a peace footing, it has been decided to conduct the business for practically the whole of the Southern Command from Aldershot. This necessitates the erection of a central warehouse and offices in the latter town in place of other accommodation at Portsmouth and elsewhere which is being vacated.
The plans of the new buildings have been reduced to a minimum in order to economise labour and material, and are not now more than sufficient to provide accommodation for the staff and stores necessary to keep the troops supplied.