HC Deb 24 June 1925 vol 185 c1508
27. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is' aware that His Majesty's Ship "Hermes" left Portsmouth for Malta last week; that she carried supernumeraries and passengers, over and above her complement, as relief for the Mediterranean station; that two of her lower mess decks have recently been condemned by the naval authorities as unfit for habitation by reason of lack of ventilation, natural or artificial; and that in consequence the remaining messes are overcrowded by the complement allowed; and where were the supernumeraries and passengers accommodated?

Mr. DAVIDSON

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, the two lower mess decks, which are fitted with artificial ventilation, have not been condemned. The supernumeraries would be accommodated in messes rigged in hangar and not in ordinary messes. The Admiralty have no knowledge of any overcrowding.

Sir B. FALLE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the journey to Malta takes ten days, and does he think it fair or right that men should be condemned to these conditions which are worse than steerage?

Mr. DAVIDSON

I do not think the conditions are worse than steerage.