§ 1. Mr. Willisasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether a decision has yet been made as to the date of commencement of providing new permanent living accommodation for the artificer apprentices at Rosyth.
§ The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing)I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Dunfermline (Dr. A. Thompson) on 16th November.
§ Mr. WillisIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that was a very unsatisfactory Answer, representing a retreat on the part of the Admiralty? Could the hon. Gentleman say whether or no it is intended to commence work on these buildings during the next financial year, as he more or less promised last November?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingNo, I am afraid I cannot promise a start then, but we are certainly starting design work. The hon. Gentleman will realise the tremendous amount of competition to renew World War II accommodation in many naval establishments. We are certainly giving this matter sympathetic consideration, but I am afraid we shall not start the work until the year after next.