§ 54. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Defence how much is to be spent in the current financial year, and how much has been spent in the past six months, on the repair and reconditioning of H.M.S. "Ark Royal"; and what proportion of these sums is to be, or has been, devoted to the improvement of the living conditions of those serving in this ship.
§ Mr. MayhewI am afraid I cannot give exact figures as expenditure during the current financial year will be limited to routine docking and maintenance and cannot be forecast accurately. Expenditure during the past six months will have covered only a small part of the ship's last refit and would not give a true picture.
A number of improvements have been made to the ship's living conditions during her last refit, and we intend to make further improvements during her next refit which starts next year.
§ 55. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Defence when H.M.S. "Ark Royal" will next be in tropical waters; and what steps are being taken before then to improve the air-conditioning throughout this ship and, in general, to make her more habitable.
§ Mr. Mayhew"Ark Royal" will operate east of Suez during her current commission. Any further large-scale improvements in habitability are impracticable before she goes east; but I am continuing to examine whether there is anything worth while that can be done in the time remaining.