§ Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the sixty-three huts for coast watching, promised in this House on 30th November, 1911, if he can state how many of these huts have been actually erected; how many have telephonic communication; and what has been the cost up to date of their installation?
§ Mr. BURNSAs my hon. Friend is aware, the sixty-three watch-huts referred to constitute a part only of the total number for the erection of which arrangements are being made. Of the sixty-three huts referred to thirty have been erected, in addition to four which have been rented or taken over. Six are in course of erection, while tenders are being now obtained for building eleven more. Suitable arrangements, not involving the erection of a hut, have been made in one case, and in the remaining eleven cases difficulties and delay have been experienced in obtaining suitable sites. The 1129W telephone has been installed in sixteen of the huts which have been erected, and is in course of installation at the present time in fourteen others. The position as regards the total number of huts contemplated by the Board of Trade—about 114—is that fifty-five have been erected, in addition to seven which have been rented or taken over, 1130W eleven are in course of erection, tenders are being obtained for building eighteen, and the sites for twenty-three have not been acquired. The telephone has been installed in twenty-six and is in course of installation in twenty-two. I regret that it is not possible at present to state the total cost of establishing these watch-huts.