§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the number of boys borne on Her Majesty's training ships for the Navy is 5,791; whether there is accommodation in the existing ships for 5,706 boys; and whether, if it were not for the fact that 220 boys are in hospital, the training ships would not be able to accommodate the boys voted by Parliament?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe numbers quoted by my hon. Friend in his question are correct; and it is the case that during the winter months, when all the boys are on board the training ships, the accommodation would not be sufficient, except for the fact that there is always a proportion in hospital on shore. The number of those in hospital stands at a daily average of 175, or 3 per cent. for the last 12 months, leaving surplus accommodation on board the ships for 90 boys. The matter is closely watched, and care is taken to prevent overcrowding.