§ 6. Mr. HURDasked the Secretary of State for War if he is arranging, or will endeavour to arrange, that the example of the United States Navy may be followed, and Canadian troops now awaiting repatriation be sent home upon available British warships in view of the scarcity of merchant shipping?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Leslie Wilson)I have been asked to reply. The Admiralty have agreed to place certain warships at the disposal of the Ministry for the repatriation of troops, but the question of manning them is difficult, and is under discussion between the Admiralty and the Ministry of Shipping. In any case, I may say that no difficulty is now being experienced in providing sufficient tonnage for the numbers of Canadians in the Canadian Military authorities' programme.
Colonel WILSONIf the hon. Member means what class of ship the Admiralty are providing, the class provided would be of the Magnificent and Mars type, and I understand that it is under consideration that that class shall be provided at the present time.