Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at on 24 March 1943.
Sir Robert Perkins
, Stroud
asked the Secretary of State for War when Arundel House, Stroud, was last used by the army?
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
This house was last used by the War Department in June, 1942.
Sir Robert Perkins
, Stroud
asked the Secretary of State for War how many houses he has requisitioned in the county of Gloucestershire; and how many have not been used by the army since 1st January, 1943?
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
Five hundred and twenty-four houses are at present requisitioned in Gloucestershire, and 97 of these have not been used by the War Department since 1st January, 1943.
Sir Robert Perkins
, Stroud
Will my hon. and learned Friend consider allowing the Air Training Corps to have 1 per cent. of these houses for training purposes?
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
So far as Arundel House, Stroud, is concerned, if the Air Training Corps would apply, sympathetic consideration would be given to their application, subject to seven days' notice. It will be appreciated that this house has to be held in reserve for certain eventualities, which it would not be in the public interest to disclose.
Sir Robert Perkins
, Stroud
Could my hon. and learned Friend not release 1 per cent. of these 400 houses all over the country?
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
Application has been received from the Air Training Corps only for the house to which I have referred.
Sir Robert Perkins
, Stroud
Has not one application been sent in for Arundel House, as well as applications for houses at Stow-on-theWold and Wotton-under-Edge?
Mr Arthur Henderson
, Kingswinford
I will look into that.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.