§ Mr. RAWLINSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what will be the minimum amount of cubic air space per boy which will be allowed in the dormitories at Dartmouth next term when the proposed number of 589 cadets come into residence; and whether the Admiralty have been advised by their medical advisers that the amount of cubic air space per boy is inadequate, and that in their opinion the reception of 589 cadets at Dartmouth will lead to overcrowding, and will be dangerous to the health of the cadets?
§ Mr. AMERYReliable information is not available as to the minimum amount of cubic air space allowed in any one particular case, as this necessarily depends upon the configuration of the dormitories and the arrangement of the 749W beds. The number of boys at Dartmouth during the summer term however is not now expected to be more than 585, and this number allows of an average of about 750 cubic feet for each boy. The variation in the different dormitories is likely to be small. While this average is slightly below what would be considered desirable in normal circumstances, the amount allowed can, in the opinion of the Admiralty, be accepted for the summer term, when the amount of ventilation possible is greater than in the winter months. For the autumn term, the average amount of air space per boy will be increased to over 800 cubic feet. The dormitories at Dartmouth are better situated than those at Osborne, as they are not on the ground floor.