§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give the names of His Majesty's ships that have refitted at Hong Kong Dockyard during 1921, 1922, and 1923, and the names of ships so refitted whose whole complements were accommodated at the sanatorium at the Peak for recuperation; whether he is aware that, apart from details of officers and boys, the sending of recuperating parties to the Peak has been almost discontinued on account of the trouble of transporting kits and mess traps, to the detriment of health and welfare; and will he consider the housing of ships' companies in hutments out of their ships while refitting at Hong Kong?
50W
§ Mr. AMMONThe statement that the sending of recuperating parties to the Peak has been almost discontinued is without foundation. The sanatorium has been continuously used by ships' companies at Hong Kong in summer, but its use was reduced to some extent during the last summer by bad weather and by damage resulting from a typhoon. The sanatorium is not popular in winter, as the climate on the sea level is then quite good. The depot ship for Hong Kong frequently accommodates a large portion of the crews of ships undergoing refit, and this arrangement is regarded as satisfactory. I have not obtained the detailed list of ships asked for, as it would have had to be cabled from Hong Kong at considerable expense.