§ 14. Commander MARSDENasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about economies in the administration of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLYes, Sir. The whole of the subordinate staff of the college has been reorganised on the basis of substituting civilian pensioners for 328 active service ratings, and by this and other means considerable reduction in cost and numbers has been found possible. Reductions have also been made in the numbers of naval officers and teaching staff employed at the college. It is anticipated that these economies will result in an eventual annual saving on Vote 5.C of £20,000 or nearly 20 per cent., and in a reduction of approximately £18,000 on the same subhead next financial year.
Major HARVEYIs the right hon. Gentleman perfectly satisfied that the efficiency of this very excellent college will in no way suffer?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLI have endeavoured to bring about this reduction in order to disarm the critics of the college and secure an economy. I am very anxious to make quite certain that the college will be as efficient in the future as it has been in the past.