§ 11. Major GASTRELLasked whether anything has been done to eradicate the danger of disease at the Royal Naval College, Osborne; and whether, if nothing can be done to discover the cause of the unhealthiness of the college, he will consider the possibility of its removal to a more healthy site?
Mr. LAMBERTIt is the constant care of the Admiralty to guard against the occurrence of disease at the Royal Naval College, Osborne, and, as at present advised, they are not prepared to admit the assumption in the latter part of the hon. and gallant Member's question.
§ Major GASTRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a number of cases of illness there at present, and that it has been considered advisable to send many boys home?
Mr. LAMBERTThe age at which the boys enter Osborne, I am informed, rather induces them to develop these somewhat youthful diseases.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDIs it not a fact that these epidemics are very constant at Osborne, and more constant than in ordinary schools of public instruction in the country, and can he see his way to do something to alter that position?
Mr. LAMBERTAs I have said, this question is under the constant care of the Admiralty. I understand that boys when they enter Osborne at twelve and a half years of age are peculiarly susceptible to these diseases.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? Are not epidemics at Osborne more constant than they are in the ordinary public schools of the country?
Mr. LAMBERTNot if you take the age at which they enter into consideration. I shall be very happy to consider any information the Noble Lord can give me.
§ 18. Mr. NEWMANasked whether the swimming-bath which was promised three years ago has now been completed at the Royal Naval College, Osborne; and, if not, whether, owing to the dangerous currents, sea-water bathing has been prohibited and the naval cadets consequently left without opportunity to make themselves proficient in the art of natation?
Mr. LAMBERTMoney has been taken in the Estimates for the provision of a swimming-bath, but the work has to be considered in connection with other questions concerning the whole of the college buildings.
§ Mr. NEWMANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the second part of my question?
§ Mr. NEWMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I asked this question three years ago and got the same answer?