§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the amount of cabin space and mess-deck space allowed in the original design of H.M.S. "Coventry" and the actual amount of mess-deck space now occupied by the lower-deck ratings in her complement; and is he aware that a mess deck originally occupied by the Royal Marine detachment is now occupied by officers' cabins?
§ Mr. HODGESThe areas devoted to cabin space and mess deck space in the original design of H.M.S. "Coventry" were 1,900 and 5,430 square feet respectively. The actual amount of mess deck space now occupied by the lower deck ratings is, approximately, 5,370 square feet. With regard to the last part of the question, marines at one time messed in a space allotted in the design to cabins which was not originally required to be used for its proper purpose On "Coventry" becoming a flagship it was necessary to build extra cabins and other accommodation was provided on the mess deck for the marines who previously messed in the space referred to.