HC Deb 25 February 1914 vol 58 cc1741-2
5. Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked how many men are now employed at Rosyth; what provision for housing them has been made by the Government; whether some of them are lodged in unsanitary conditions; whether there is a great deal of overcrowding; and what steps, if any, the Government are taking in the matter?

The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. Lambert)

About 3,500 men are now employed at Rosyth. No provision for housing has been made by the Admiralty. No complaints have lately been received of men being lodged in unsanitary conditions, or of overcrowding, since the contractor erected a hut village contiguous to the work for the accommodation of about 900 men.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a certain number of the men are still housed in houses which were described as very unsatisfactory two and a half years ago?

Mr. G. LAMBERT

I have just told the Noble Lord that no complaints have lately been received of men being lodged in insanitary conditions, or of overcrowding.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Has the hon. Gentleman, or anybody on behalf of the Admiralty, made an inspection recently of the conditions of housing at Rosyth?

Mr. G. LAMBERT

We are in constant and close communication both with the contractors and the officials at Rosyth, and it would I presume, be the duty of the Scottish Local Government Board to bring to the notice of the Admiralty any complaints.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

The hon. Gentleman has not answered the question I addressed to him: whether any inspection of the housing conditions at Rosyth has recently been made on behalf of the Admiralty?

Mr. G. LAMBERT

I cannot answer that without notice. If the hon. Gentleman will give me notice I will give him a full answer.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Is there any truth in the rumour that the Admiralty purpose to lay out a garden city at Rosyth?

Mr. G. LAMBERT

That is a different question. It does not arise out of this.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

I will put down further questions on this point.