§ Major HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that item 5 of the 1924 welfare requests has been definitely 1715W rejected, he will consider a reduction in the commissions of His Majesty's destroyers and other small craft, seeing that there is little or no comfort in these vessels, and that the present period of two and a half to three years is considered by the men to be most monotonous and trying?
Mr. DAVIDSONTo reduce the length of commissions, as suggested by the hon. Member, would involve increased expenditure and loss of efficiency, and in present circumstances the Admiralty see no reason to entertain any such proposal. Commissions in small craft on stations where the conditions are particularly trying are already shorter than two and a half to three years.