§ 6. Miss Vickersasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements are being made to improve the living conditions of H.M.S. "Terror" at the naval base at Singapore.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingA contract is being let to build two new barrack blocks to accommodate 400 junior ratings and plans are in hand to build accommodation blocks for 40 officers and 100 petty officers. These new buildings, together with the existing accommodation in H.M.S. "Terror", should meet the needs of the increased number of naval personnel requiring single accommodation.
§ Miss VickersI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Does he intend to improve the existing accommodation? Does he realise that there are eight chief petty officers sleeping in one cabin, and that 1240 accommodation built for 50 people is now holding 100? In a tropical climate this is most unsatisfactory.
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI am afraid that we shall have to continue to make use of the existing accommodation for some time to come. In the long run we hope to raise our standards.