asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the matter raised on the 8th of April, 1925, has been considered regarding the unsatisfactory messes allotted in His Majesty's destroyers to chief and engine-room artificers; and whether, seeing the structural alterations made to make room for special fittings have deprived the men of sleeping accommodation and necessary privacy, other suitable messes will be provided for them?

Mr. DAVIDSON:

These ratings are as well off for messing and sleeping space as ratings of other branches, and I regret that no other permanent accommodation is available. I may add the accommodation in modern destroyers is much superior to that in destroyers and torpedo-boats of earlier types.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he promised to look into the matter of spare cabins? Has he done so?

Mr. DAVIDSON:

Yes, I did look into that matter, but it has been found that the cabins are quite unsuitable for messes.