HC Deb 23 November 1916 vol 87 cc1622-3W
Mr. TURTON

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Northern Command entered into negotiations with the North Riding of Yorkshire Standing Joint Committee for the use of the Court-house and old police station at Northallerton, and forwarded forms of tenancy agreements A.F.W. 3,005, for the tenancy of the premises, with a request that they should be signed and witnessed and returned, and promising that a copy would be returned to the committee when completed, but on the committee returning the agreements duly signed the Northern Command did not fulfil their promises, alleging that there was no binding agreement, although the buildings had been used continuously by the military; whether he is aware that after the War Office valuer had agreed with the county architect as to the cost of making good the damage done to the said buildings and furniture by the troops, the Northern Command declined to pay the sum so agreed by their own valuer, claiming that it must be set off against the sum received for billeting sixteen months previously, which had been properly paid by the military for billeting only; if so, whether it was done with his sanction; and, if not, whether he will order the Northern Command to make payment to the Standing Joint Committee forthwith of the sums agreed upon by their officers?

Mr. FORSTER

From the report I have received from the local military authorities, it appears that through some misunderstanding on the part of the local quartering committee the Department was committed to an agreement for the occupation of the premises. The Department will accordingly be prepared to fulfil its obligations under that agreement, and the necessary instructions are being sent to Command Headquarters. I understand that the question of payment for dilapidations is still under negotiation; but I agree that an amount paid in respect of billeting cannot properly be taken into account in assessing the sum payable in respect of dilapidations arising out of a subsequent occupation under agreement.