§ Lieutenant-Colonel HILDERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if it is still proposed to sell any condemned or obsolete British war vessels to salvage companies to be broken up; and whether he will consider the advisability of making use of these vessels in satisfying the needs of the people by placing them in convenient positions in the estuaries of rivers round our coasts in charge of naval pensioners, to be used for workers of all classes, convalescent hospitals, children's holiday and training homes, headquarters of sailing, swimming, boating, and scouts clubs, all of which would be in relief of the housing problem?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAObsolete war vessels that may be for disposal will be advertised from time to time. Some of them will be sold without conditions as to breaking up, and, therefore, purchasers will be able to put these to any use for which they may be suitable. The Admiralty do not contemplate the organisation of any such scheme as that referred to in the second part of the question. It would seem to be rather a matter for the Local Government Board than for the Admiralty. But it should be added that old Navy vessels do not necessarily lend themselves to such purposes; and fitting-up, upkeep, provision of moorings, etc., would be costly items.