§ 53. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for War if he has now decided whether or not to inquire into conditions at Hilden camp, near Dusseldorf, with particular reference to food, superior officers and discipline.
§ Mr. ProfumoI have now received a report from the Commander-in-Chief, British Army of the Rhine, following inquiries which he himself instituted into the situation at Hilden Camp. In the light of this report I am satisfied that the incident of 28th January, 1962, was caused by a few trouble-makers and did not reveal any circumstances which would justify any special inquiry.
Until last year these barracks had not been scheduled in the long-term order of 131W battle, and so little had been done to bring them up to modern standards. However, a programme costing £29,000 is already in hand to include improvements to the rank and file dining room and kitchen, the sergeants' mess, the gymnasium, the ablutions and the barrack accommodation.