UNHEALTHY BARRACKS.
MG THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Sia,—The Government have stated their intention of spending some three million pounds on the provision of full dress for Household Troops, and this decision having excited not a little comment, it will be well for the public to be made aware of the following facts. There is at the present moment in London and Windsor a deficiency of over two hundred married quarters. Most of the married quarters that do exist are com- pletely out of date; many of them have been condemned years ago on sanitary grounds, and not one of them has a separate bath. The barrack accommodation for the men, with the ex- ception of one block at Windsor, is out of date, dark, ill- ventilated, and cheerless. Part of it has been condemned on medical grounds, and is of necessity not occupied. In most barracks there are no dining-rooms and men have to feed in their sleeping-rooms. The recreation establishments are poor and inadequate. Bath accommodation is very deficient. The provision of quarters and messes for officers is quite insufficient, and what there is is out of date. The Government have laid down a standard of housing which they consider essential "for the physical well-being of our people," and it would cost about two million pounds adequately to house the troops in London and Windsor up to modern standards. The Government have apparently three million pounds to spend on troops in London. Will the nation say whether they wish that this money, should be spent on the provision of good married quarters and bar- racks, which are essential, or on the provision of full dress, which, however desirable, is not essential?—I am, Sir, &c..
IL
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