§ Mr. Barrasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a certain hotel has been acquired on lease for the accommodation of rescued and injured lascars; to what extent this involves the displacement of men who have been long resident in this hotel; and whether he will consider meeting the urgent needs of these sailors by utilising the public halls and other buildings in the district that have been requisitioned but are meantime lying unused?
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§ Mr. AsshetonI have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. I understand that the hotel has been leased by private arrangement between the proprietor and the occupier of a boarding-house for Indian seamen which was destroyed by enemy action, and that in consequence about 217 residents have been displaced. These are understood to have found other accommodation. The public halls in the area are, I am informed, under military requisition and in any event are unsuitable for the purpose.