HC Deb 21 April 1915 vol 71 cc252-3
9. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that shipwrights taken from Devonport dockyard to outside districts for the purpose of effecting repairs to His Majesty's ships are unable to take their leave owing to the cost of the journey home; that one man has four days now due to him but is unable to pay the amount it would cost him to visit his wife and family; and whether he will consider the possibility of giving these men free passes to their homes say, once every three or six months during the period of their employment?

Dr. MACNAMARA

As I stated yesterday, in reply to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, instructions have been issued to the dockyards and to the senior naval officers of the distant places at which dockyard men are employed away from their homes, to the effect that men who have served away from their homes for three months may be given railway passes when it is convenient to grant them leave for the purpose of visiting their homes.