§ 23. Mr. McLean Watsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is satisfied with the swimming and gymnastic arrangements on board His Majesty's Ship "Caledonia" at Rosyth; and whether, in deciding upon permanent buildings on shore, he will consider giving preference to an adequate swimming pool and a gymnasium?
Mr. CooperProvision of a swimming bath on shore has been approved, and the question of the gymnasium is now under consideration.
§ 25. Mr. Ralph Beaumontasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what decision has been arrived at on the question of giving assistance towards the extra travelling expenses which will be incurred by artificer apprentices who are being transferred from the mechanical training establishment at Chatham to His Majesty's ship "Caledonia" at Rosyth and whose homes are in- the south of England?
Mr. CooperI am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the Admiralty have decided to give assistance Of the kind he mentions to those artificer apprentices who entered from the April examination in 1936 with the prospect of being trained at Chatham, but were subsequently transferred to the new training establishment at Rosyth. When these apprentices go on long leave, the Admiralty will make up the difference between the cost of travelling from Chatham and that of travelling from Rosyth.
§ Mr. KirkwoodI hope that the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence will pay attention to these two replies that have been given here to-day regarding the conditions of artificers and apprentices in the Royal dockyards, and the increase of 7s. a week. I will take the matter up with the right hon. Gentleman later on.