HL Deb 02 June 1964 vol 258 cc373-5

2.36 p.m.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in pro- viding air-conditioned sleeping accommodation for air crews at Tenghah, Singapore.]

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE FOR THE ROYAL NAVY (EARL JELLICOE)

My Lords, the work is being planned and should be completed by August, 1965.

LORD SHEPHERD

I thank the noble Earl for that reply. I hope, if I may put it in this way, that this matter will be expedited, because there is considerable concern among the medical section of the Royal Air Force as to the facilities and accommodation that is available for air crews at Tenghah.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl why it should take over a year to put in the necessary instruments or machines, because they can be bought in Singapore and in a large number of other places and installed in 24 hours?

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, I think it is a rather more complicated matter than the noble Lord suggests.

LORD OGMORE

Why?

EARL JELLICOE

This is part of another building project and has to be phased in with it. But the noble Lord was kind enough to speak to me some time ago about this particular matter, and I fully understand the need for speed and will see that the comments of both noble Lords are passed on to the appropriate quarters.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, this Question deals only with sleeping accommodation. Surely these instruments can be put into a barrack room, bedroom or whatever it may be, without any difficulty at all. They are on sale in a number of places. What is causing the delay?

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, I would assure the noble Lord that this is a far more complicated matter than he suspects. It has to be phased in with another project which is being done and also with the operational requirements of Tenghah itself. I am assured that this is being pushed forward with speed; but I will gladly look into this personally to assure myself of this.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, if the noble Earl has given this undertaking, I am quite sure that the matter will be proceeded with a good deal more quickly than he has suggested.