§ 38. Commander Agnewasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will provide hostel accommodation for the Women's Royal Naval Service ratings stationed at Newcastle-under-Lyme?
§ Mr. George HallThere are two W.R.N.S. quarters at Newcastle-under-Lyme which between them house the majority of the W.R.N.S. personnel stationed at the local training establishment. The remainder are at present accommodated in approved lodgings, but the possibility of providing additional official quarters is already under examination.
§ Commander AgnewIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question of the provision of proper quarters for these "Wrens" is most urgent, as recourse recently had to be had to a billet which meant that a girl under 18 years of age had to sleep out and share a bed with her landlady?
§ Mr. HallI have no information about that, but I can say that less than a third of the personnel of the W.R.N.S. in this district are living outside hostels.
§ Commander AgnewIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that recently I called at the W.R.N.S. headquarters in London and put this case to one of the officers there, who was most sympathetic and at once took remedial action? As the right hon. Gentleman controls the building of quarters and the provision of accommodation, will be inform himself as to the circumstances and see that this state of affairs is remedied on all future occasions?
§ Mr. HallEvery precaution is taken to see that personnel are properly housed. If circumstances such as those described by the hon. and gallant Gentleman are brought to the notice of the Admiralty, we will look into them and deal with them.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman say when Newcastle-under-Lyme became a port?