HC Deb 02 June 1965 vol 713 cc1685-6
1. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the overcrowded living conditions in many of Her Majesty's ships and the cumbersome design and inadequate performance of the air-conditioning equipment therein, he will make representations to the manufacturers of such equipment in the hope that they may develop a more efficient and compact air-conditioning unit.

The Minister of Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Christopher Mayhew)

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the equipment in our oldest ships, where only D.C. supply is available. In these there are limits to the improvements which are practicable. All our newer ships, and virtually all our ships east of Suez or liable to go there, are fitted with efficient and compact equipment.

Mr. Driberg

While that Answer seems very satisfactory so far as it goes, when my hon. Friend says that "virtually all our ships" which go east of Suez are equipped with the modern equipment, does he mean that none of the older ships are normally sent to tropical waters at all?

Mr. Mayhew

No, not none. I say virtually all. I had a particular check made when I was in the Far East. Now and again there are exceptions, like "Ark Royal", when we simply cannot do it. But virtually all our ships are properly air-conditioned when they go east of Suez.

Sir J. Maitland

Can the Minister say whether the very high rate of tuberculosis in the service has been reduced?

Mr. Mayhew

Perhaps the hon. Member would put a Question down about that.

Mr. Manuel

Is my hon. Friend aware of the case, of which I have sent details to his Department, arising from a letter which I received from parents in my constituency? They have been caused great concern and anxiety because of the intolerable conditions which their lad is experiencing in the ship to which he has been posted? They are now endeavouring to buy him out.

Mr. Mayhew

I cannot recall this case, but, of course, I shall look into it.

Dr. Wyndham Davies

Would not the Minister agree that a continuation and extension of the work of the Royal Naval personnel research unit with air-conditioning and habitability problems would be of value?

Mr. Mayhew

I cannot agree that our existing equipment is in an way inefficient or unsuitable. The vast majority of it is extremely good. It is simply the equipment for those oldest ships which can provide only D.C. current. It is not practicable to design and manufacture new equipment for D.C. current.

Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

Does the Minister realise that living conditions in ships and warships are inevitably overcrowded, and that, whether or not these ships are air-conditioned, there still exists the need for the sea-going allowance which he and I have previously discussed?