Lieutenant-Commander NORMAN CRAIGasked whether the Rich borough and Stonar works and camps are now 1370W under military or civilian control; and to what extent His Majesty's Government retains supervision?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe camp area, including the hospital, is under military control. The works and transport service are operated by the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company's managing committee as agents for the War Office, and under instructions issued from the War Office.
Lieutenant-Commander CRAIGasked the Secretary of State for War whether inconvenience is occasioned to persons resident and carrying on business in places in the Isle of Thanet and Dover Divisions of Kent by reason of the continuance of the prohibition to use the main road lying between Ramsgate and Sandwich without a permit in writing; what are the numbers of military and railway police, respectively, employed in the Rich borough and Stonar camps; whether it is possible adequately to police the camps without imposing the hardship above-mentioned on the community; and whether he will consider the desirability of removing the existing restrictions?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe number of military police is fifty-one and railway police fifty-seven, employed respectively in Rich borough and Stonar Camps. In view of the large area it is not possible adequately to police the camps without considerable addition to the personnel. I regret the inconvenience occasioned by the existing restrictions, but large consignments of valuable stores have recently been received which render it more than ever undesirable to allow the general public free access to the camps.
Lieutenant-Commander CRAIGasked the Secretary of State for War whether an additional heavy burden of work is thrown upon the civilian police in the issue by them of permits to persons wishing to use the main road passing through Rich borough and Stonar Camps; whether this duty is more appropriate to the military or railway police; and whether a change in this respect will be considered?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI regret my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion cannot be adopted. Passes are granted on application to the military authorities in order to assist the civilian police, but to transfer to the military authorities the whole duty 1371W of issuing passes would, I am afraid, occasion additional inconvenience to the public.