§ 62. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what purpose it is proposed to put the St. Budeaux Camp, and whether it is possible to make use of it with the object of alleviating the housing congestion in Devonport?
Mr. DAVIDSONAs I am at present advised, the St. Budeaux Camp is required for the accommodation of short-service seamen shortly to be entered. I might add that the buildings, which are only of a temporary nature, would not be suitable for the accommodation of families without considerable structural alterations.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask how the hon. Gentleman proposes to make seamen in a camp on land, and why should not these short-service seamen be drafted to ships?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYNot at all!
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWould the hon. Gentleman undertake to consider sympathetically the use of this camp, in view of the very special conditions now prevailing, even if it require some structural alteration?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not the fact that there are numerous vessels in reserve in the home ports, and why should not these short-service seamen be trained on board, as they used to be?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYNo; that is quite wrong; the hon. Gentleman is misinformed.