§ Major COLFOXasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether large numbers of women are still being conveyed daily to and from Blandford camp from a distance by road; whether the huts at Blandford camp are good enough and large enough to house all the necessary staff on the spot; and whether any considerable reduction has been, or is likely to be, made in the personnel at the camp?
§ Major-General SEELYThe answer to the first pact or my hon. and gallant Friend's question is that about fifty women are conveyed by lorry from Blandford to the camp. They return home by Service train. As to the second part, the women staff are of two categories—mobile and 487W immobile. The former are housed in the camp. The terms of service of the latter do riot allow this to be done compulsorily. As the Records Office is shortly to be moved from Blandford, it is not considered desirable to substitute and train fresh mobile staff to take the place of the latter. The answer to the third part of the question is that reductions are continuously taking place, and the women staff show a reduction of 37 per cent, between the 31st July and the 30th September.
§ Major COLFOXasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will give the total cost of constructing the railway from Blandford to the camp; what date was the construction begun and when was the line first used for traffic; how many troops and how many tons of goods have been carried on the line; whether this line is still being used; and, if so, to what extent?
§ Major-General SEELYFor an answer to the first part of his question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Barnard Castle on the 19th August last. The answer to the second part is: July, 1918; and to the third: February, 1919, whilst still under construction. As to the remainder of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Tade.