99. Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Education whether any charge upon the taxpayer is occasioned by the reception at Cambridge of the young naval officers who are at present engaged in a course of study at that university?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I have been asked to answer this question. There will be a charge upon the taxpayer, but it would be very difficult indeed to say precisely how much. The cost of accommodation, board and attendance and 2221 of the necessary instruction lectures, etc., by the college staff and the naval instructional staff will be borne by the Admiralty, and is estimated to amount to £31,000. But, as a set-off against that figure, there is the fact that, even if these young officers were not at Cambridge, Navy Votes would have to bear certain charges on their behalf elsewhere. I may add that 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.