22. Sir H. COWANasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that William Buchan, No. 16484, D.A., mate, His Majesty's Troopship "Pavlova," naval base, Brightlingsea, who joined up in Feb- 1984 ruary, 1916, and has been on continuous service since then, and who has provided a substitute and applied for demobilisation, has been refused; and whether, in view of the fact that the ''Pavlova" is reconditioning and that Buchan is only kept on to stand by her, he will state the reason for such refusal?
§ Dr. MACNAMARASecond hand William Buchan was not enrolled until 12th June, 1917. He is at present serving in one of the two navigating crews retained at Brightlingsea to navigate vessels reconditioning or laid up there with care and maintenance parties aboard, to their port of return to owners or reconditioning port, and not solely to stand by "Pavlova." There are still many men of 1914 and 1915 enrolment who have prior claim to release.