§ Mr. LEES-SMITHasked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital, excluding Ranelagh Gardens, are reserved for the use of the officers of the hospital; what proportion of the cubic contents of the hospital buildings, including the chapel, great hall, and sick quarters, is reserved for the use of the officers and pensioners, respectively; what is the total expenditure of the Chelsea. Commissioners under heads and distinguishing between sums paid directly to the officers and the pensioners; who are the existing officers with their duties and salaries; what is the number of the existing pensioners what is the annual expenditure of the hospital on books and periodicals for the pensioners; and what arrangements are made to assure the fullest possible use of Ranelagh Gardens by the public?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo part of the hospital grounds is reserved for the officers. A strip of ground along the South-East front of the building 1870W giving access to the various quarters is, closed to the public, who are however admitted to the rest of the grounds. Information is not available as to the exact division of the cubic contents of the buildings between the officers and pensioners, and could not be obtained without a survey. The officers have no accommodation apart from their private quarters.
The total expenditure of the Commissioners, both from public and private funds, is detailed on pages 215–247 Army Estimates, 1927.
The existing officers are shown on page 245, Army Estimates, with their present salaries. Their duties are indicated by the appointments held, apart from the Captains of Invalids, who are in charge of the various companies of pensioners. Full particulars of the duties are contained in the Royal Warrant for Chelsea Hospital dated 27th February, 1926, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
There are at present 508 in-pensioners at the hospital and 18 more are being admitted shortly.
About£165 year is spent on books and periodicals for the pensioners.
The Ranelagh Gardens are open to the public.