HC Deb 03 May 1922 vol 153 cc1307-8
18. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the nature of the work in the dockyard at Bermuda which necessitates a staff nearly double that which existed before the War; whether it is proposed to reduce the present staff; and, if so, by what date will the reductions have been effected?

Mr. AMERY

The present staff employed at Bermuda is the minimum necessary to carry out the work there, which is considerably greater and more complicated than before the War.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

How can it be that, with a small Navy, and, apparently, attempts at economy on the part of the Admiralty, there has been more, work?

Mr. AMERY

The disposition of the Navy has been considerably changed since the War, and at this moment we have, on the West Indian station—which embraces the whole of North American waters in both oceans, and, in the absence of a South American squadron, South American waters as well—four light cruisers.