§ Mr. CAUTLEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether a camp building at Seaford camp, and numbered lot 65, was on 1st September, 1920, sold by auction to a Mr. Burtenshaw and paid for by him; that when the purchaser went to remove the building he found it had been stolen; and whether, seeing that such a theft could not have taken place if the War Office had had anyone in charge of the camp, he can see his way to recouping the purchaser the whole or some of his loss?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI am informed that the statements contained in the first and second parts of the question are substantially correct. Under the conditions of sale the purchaser is responsible for the safety of his acquired property from the time of sale, and there is nothing to prevent him placing any guard or caretaker he wishes in the building. It is entirely an act of grace that the purchaser is allowed to leave his propertyin situ up to twenty-eight days, from the date of sale, and I regret that the suggestion contained in the last part of the hon. Member's question cannot be entertained.