§ 18. Mr. WATTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his Department in 1294 placing contracts for the six or eight small wooden boats wanted for each destroyer still insists that each of such boats should have a canvas cover attached to it; if so, is he aware that each of these covers now costs £10 or thereby, that the boats are never covered in war time, and that the canvases at the earliest opportunity are thrown overboard as an encumbrance; and will he see that all orders for equipment are now made on a war and not on a peace basis?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOnly three small wooden boats are carried on modern destroyers—namely, a motor boat, whaler, and dinghy—and for these boats covers are supplied, being as necessary in war as in peace time. In order to reduce the cost, however, these covers are now made of cotton canvas. When lying alongside wharves and when undergoing repairs, etc., these covers are always in use, and even at sea the motor boat and dinghy are kept covered. Furthermore, there is no case known of covers being thrown overboard; they are on store charge, and any losses have to be accounted for by the officers concerned.
§ Mr. WATTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the men freely state that they will throw these things overboard at the first opportunity?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAll I can say is that if any officer or non-commissioned officer loses things in his charge he has to pay for them.