75. Sir J. D REESasked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the amount of the charge to Navy Votes on account of education of young naval officers lately sent to Cambridge, which would have been 1666 incurred had they not been sent thither, but had received Departmental instruction?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs I informed my hon. Friend on the 20th March, in reply to an earlier question, the Cambridge course is intended to take the place of that part of the officers' education which had to be dropped owing to the War. There was, of course, a considerable saving as a result of these young officers being sent to sea at an earlier date. The question of the continuance of the thus interrupted training now arises. The officers are receiving that continued instruction at Cambridge. If they had not gone to Cambridge, it would have been necessary to make arrangements for their instruction at some other civil education establishment—the naval establishments being full. To give my hon. Friend a precise estimate showing the credit and debit side of the whole transaction would be very difficult indeed. All I can do is to refer him to the answer which I gave him on the 20th March.
Sir J. D. REESMay I ask what is the extra charge to the taxpayer, and was this action initiated by the Admiralty or by the Board of Education?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe cost of accommodation, board, and attendance, and of the necessary instruction, lectures, etc., by the college staff and naval instructional staff is estimated at £31,000, but there is a set-off against this figure.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI described the set-off in my answer on 20th March. The matter was set in motion at the instance of the Board of Admiralty.
Sir J. D. REESCannot my right hon. Friend put the set-off in figures and state what is the net extra charge to the taxpayer?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI said on 20th March it would be very difficult indeed to give the precise cost, and further consideration leaves it at that.