§ 8. Commander Purseyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what conversion is being, or has been, effected in the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, house "Byways"; the cost and reason for this conversion; who is to occupy the house; why a flat is being furnished at the expense of the orphanage, instead of by the 369 woman secretary who is designated for it; and what new consideration justifies these further conversions after the orphanage has been in commission without them for 13 years.
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. John Dugdale)Holbrook is seven miles from the nearest town and there is no place near the school at which relatives of boys can get accommodation and meals. This former official residence has therefore been adapted for the purpose at a cost of £90, and meals will be supplied at reasonable charges which are fixed by the school authorities. A very small part of the house has been converted for use of the headmaster's secretary, whose terms of appointment include free board and lodging and for whom no other suitable accommodation is available within the main school buildings.
§ Commander PurseyWill the Financial Secretary give us the reason why this woman secretary, who is known as "Gestapo Bertha," is there, seeing that there was a naval writer as captain superintendent's secretary, who has had to be given other employment; and that this woman, with an additional assistant headmaster, was imported by the present headmaster? Will the Minister see that all these unnecessary employees are discharged?
§ Mr. DugdaleThat seems an entirely different question. Whether the pseudonym attached to the lady by my hon. and gallant Friend is justified, is another matter. I have no reason for supposing that there is any justification for it.