§ Mr. Perkinsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a house, of which he has been informed, was left without any caretaker for over three months from 6th May of this year, and that during that time damage was done to the interior of the building; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent a recurrence of a waste of public money which will have to be paid in compensation.
§ Sir J. GriggI understand that the property has been inspected several times a week in accordance with arrangements which have been in force for some time and I am not aware that any damage has been done to this house since it was last occupied. I regret that it is impossible to provide a full-time caretaker for every requisitioned building.
§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to derequisition the hotels in Cheltenham the proprietors 2225W of which have been informed that they are no longer required for members of the U.S. Forces.
§ Sir J. GriggA number of the hotels used by the United States forces at Cheltenham were not requisitioned, but hired by agreement between this Department and the owners. It has been decided to terminate the majority of these agreements on or about the end of this month. A few hotels which are held under requisition will have to be retained for the time being to meet possible future commitments, but they will be derequisitioned as soon as the situation permits.