§ 86. Brigadier Thorpasked the Secretary of State for War when the lease between his Department and the Corporation of Berwick-upon-Tweed will be executed; and if he is aware of the substantial loss of rate income the corporation is suffering by the delay.
§ Mr. StracheyThe area for which preliminary negotiations for a lease took place and which is at present occupied by a War Department camp is only one of several areas at Berwick-upon-Tweed under consideration for post-war Army requirements. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, before I acquire such areas by lease or otherwise the planning procedure laid down in Command Paper 7278 must be operated. Until the discussions on all the areas are concluded, it will not be possible to decide whether to proceed with this lease, and I cannot say at present when a decision will be reached. The question of a contribution in lieu of rates is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.