HC Deb 14 April 1937 vol 322 cc986-7
17. Mr. R. Gibson

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that men at present serving in the Royal Naval torpedo factory, Greenock, who have volunteered, and have been accepted, for service in the Royal Naval torpedo works at Alexandria, have been unable to get housing accommodation at Alexandria, and whether he will forthwith proceed with the erection of houses at or near Alexandria for torpedo workers, as was formerly done by the Admiralty at Greenock, or take other steps to relieve these workers of the inconvenience and expense of travelling between Greenock and Alexandria?

Lord Stanley

With regard to the first part of the question, I have ascertained that of the 10 men transferred for service reasons from Greenock to Alexandria, nine have obtained houses in that locality. In answer to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 17th February by my right hon. Friend. The erection of houses at Greenock at Admiralty expense during the War was an exceptional measure, taken at a time when municipalities had not the facilities for undertaking housing schemes which they now possess.