§ 10. Sir B. FALLEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the men who recently volunteered for service at Rosyth were promised travelling time; if he is aware that this has not so far been granted, though the travelling time from Edinburgh, where the men live, to 816 Rosyth and back averages about two hours per day; if he will see to it that the travelling time is allowed and paid for; and if he can say if any provision for free warrants or concession tickets is to be made for men who go on leave?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answers to the first two parts of the question are in the affirmative. With regard to the undertaking respecting travelling time, it was decided last month in respect of men then transferred to Rosyth to grant one hour's pay per day to the workmen who travel between Inverkeithing and Edinburgh or Leith until such time as the housing accommodation at Rosyth is so complete as to make it unnecessary for men to live otherwise than in the locality. Since that decision, representations have been made on behalf of men who live in the other direction, namely, in the direction of Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy, and it has been decided to grant an allowance of 6d. a day all round to men permanently transferred from the South and who have to travel by rail to their work. I gather from the question that the men who recently came up from the South and are living in Edinburgh or Leith consider that this decision is a departure from the undertaking given to them. The matter will be looked into. As regards the last part of the question, since the men under reference volunteered for permanent service at Rosyth, it is not proposed to adopt the proposal of my hon. Friend.