§ 64. Sir B. FALLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the granting of concession railway tickets to the wives of officers of the Royal Navy if such wives have to travel over fifty miles in order to meet their husbands on their return from service on leave?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. In view of the facilities which enable naval officers to visit their homes when leave is granted, either free of cost or at a reduced expense, I am unable to recommend the grant of concession fare tickets to officers' wives, especially as it is necessary in the public interest to restrict railway travelling as much as possible. I should, however, add that naval officers' wives are granted cheap tickets for the purpose of visiting husbands when sick or wounded in hospital; also that where an officer is in a serious condition and his wife is summoned by telegram to visit him a free warrant is granted to her on application.
§ Sir B. FALLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some cases a ship may be at, say, Rosyth for ten days and the officer is not allowed more than shore leave, in which case his wife may have to come from London or Southampton to see him? In those cases I ask that she should have a ticket.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf my hon. Friend will look at the Regulations under which, when leave is granted, facilities are given for travelling by officers, perhaps he will put another question to me. He had better look at them first.
§ Sir B. FALLEI have done so.