§ 28. Mr. Dribergasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement on instruction in current affairs in the Royal Navy.
§ Mr. J. DugdaleYes, Sir. The present orders provide that, so far as possible, one hour a week during working hours shall be devoted to training in current affairs in His Majesty's ships and establishments but this aim has seldom been achieved. While it is impossible owing to pressure of work to alter these orders so far as ships at sea are concerned, my noble Friend has decided to make a change in all shore establishments and ships of the Reserve Fleet. In future, in these establishments and ships, one hour each week will be set aside within working hours for education in current affairs. This education will take the form of lectures and discussions and will, it is hoped, be of value both to the individual sailor and to the Royal Navy as a whole.
§ Commander NobleCould the Minister say whether he has yet read No. 24 Map Review? It was only too apparent last week that he had not.
§ Mr. DugdaleCertainly, I have read it before most carefully and I am prepared to discuss it at any time that I have permission from Mr. Speaker to do so.
§ Mr. Quintin HoggIs not the best instruction in current affairs afforded to the Royal Navy, as to the rest of us, by the abject failure of the Government's economic policy?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWill the hon. Gentleman take steps to protect his colleagues on the Front Bench from the experience of one of them in the last war who, when attending to lecture to sailors on the subject of current affairs, was himself thrown into the sea?