§ 22. Mr. Willisasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what was the cost of transferring the Internal Combustion Engine School from Chatham to Gosport.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingThis move, which was a necessary part of the plan to abolish the Nore Command, cost about £240,000.
§ Mr. WillisDoes that figure include the provision of facilities for accommodation at Gosport?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingIt does include facilities at Gosport.
§ 23. Mr. Willisasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty when the accommodation for chief petty officers at the Internal Combustion Engine School at Gosport will be completed.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingI expect the sleeping blocks for the chief petty officers and petty officers to be completed about the end of 1962 and the mess and recreation block a few months later.
§ Mr. WillisIs not this a shocking case of incompetence on the part of the Admiralty, in that, having known that this move was to be made more than two years before it took place, it failed to make any necessary preparations for this accommodation?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingMy noble Friend and I are always being urged to comb the shore tail of the Admiralty and to close establishments. Part of the price of closing the Nore Command is having to make these moves, and we cannot always get perfect accommodation ready at the other end in time.