Viscountess ASTORasked the Secretary of State for War when Elphinstone Barracks, Plymouth, were last fully occupied by troops; whether he is aware of the very serious overcrowding and shortage of housing accommodation in Plymouth; whether he is aware that at least 25 families could be accommodated in these barracks; and whether, in view of the friendly relations of this country with foreign nations, and of the fact that the local authority have undertaken to remove any civilians that may be accommodated in the barracks in case of invasion or other warlike requirements, he will now lease these barracks for the use of civilian families?
§ Mr. WALSHThese barracks were last fully occupied by troops in July, 1921. I am aware of the shortage of houses at Plymouth, and, as I intimated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) on the 15th instant, the possibility of leasing certain disused War Department forts and sites to the corporation for the purpose of providing additional accommodation is already being actively and sympathetically considered. I cannot at once hold out the hope that Elphinstone Barracks can be thus leased, but I am having the matter carefully looked into again to see if there is any possibility of re-adjustment so as to make these barracks available.