asked the Secretary of State for War how many men are at present employed at Rose-bank House, Lockerbie, until recently used as an auxiliary military hospital, and which has been empty for the past month; what are their duties; and when these premises will be released for normal use.

There is one man, a civilian caretaker, now employed at these premises. In accordance with normal procedure the property has been notified to the Ministry of Works as redundant to War Department requirements, and the Ministry now has under consideration its use for other Government purposes. Unless it has been decided by 17th April that there is a further Government requirement the property will be de-requisitioned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long on the average it takes to get answers from the various Departments?

I am afraid I cannot reply to that.