§ 40. Sir Ronald Rossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many ships, and of what classes, have been tested with the new air-tight system of maintenance for ships that are laid up.
Mr. DugdaleThe upper deck equipment of 16 destroyers is now in a state of preservation by the use of desiccants and air-tight envelopes, and similar preservation is being carried out on nine other destroyers. No ships have yet been fitted with dynamic dehumidification equipment for interior compartments. A number of sets are on order and it is expected that the first set will be delivered towards the end of June. It will be fitted in a destroyer on which preparatory work is proceeding.
§ Sir R. RossIn view of the great saving in personnel and maintenance will the Admiralty apply this system to the larger ships and destroyers?
Mr. DugdaleCertainly, Sir, we would consider it, but the trouble at the moment is to secure an adequate number of machines for this purpose.