asked the Minister for Defence if he can state whether the Government still retain emergency holdings which were only acquired under the Defence of Realm Act for war purposes; and, if so, whether he will state (1) the number of such holdings; (2) the exact location of each; (3) what use is being made of them; (4) what they cost the State per annum; and (5) when it is proposed to return them to their owners.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - THE STATE AND EMERGENCY HOLDINGS.
This question was addressed to the Minister for Finance and it was passed on to my Department. I can only give a partial answer, that is to say the basis on which we hold.
In so far as the Department of Defence is concerned, the particulars desired by the Deputy are as follows:
(1) Two "emergency holdings" are retained for military use.
(2) One of them is on the Racecourse at Fermoy and the other is Belmont Hutment Camp, at Cobh.
(3) The holding at Fermoy is being retained for use as an aerodrome or landing-ground for aeroplanes, and the holding at Cobh is occupied by troops.
(4) The annual rents are £120 and £24 respectively.
(5) It is not possible to say when these two holdings can be returned to their owners.
I did not ask what holdings were held for military purposes, but what emergency holdings were handed over under the Defence of the Realm Act and are still retained by the State. I ask the Minister for Finance or the Minister for Defence if there is a holding in the possession of the State handed over by the British for which a rent of £400 is being paid but which is being re-let for £100 to the person they pay. Is that a fact?
In so far as the Minister for Defence has not answered the Deputy's question, the Deputy can put down another question, perhaps a more specific question, to the Minister for Finance next week. The question is only partially answered.