§ 43. Mr. CLOUGHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the Regulations governing the demobilisation of men on foreign stations; whether these men are given preference to those in home waters; and whether he is aware that the feeling is general among them that they are not even being demobilised at the same rate as those at home?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The Regulations governing the demobilisation of men, both at home and abroad, are contained in Admiralty Monthly Order 921, which is too long to quote, but of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy. Reliefs are allocated for men abroad in preference to men at home; but, as circumstances admit of the reduction of services at home more quickly than those abroad, demobilisation has proceeded more rapidly at home. Every effort is being made to relieve as early as possible all demobilisable men abroad and at home, and men-of-war are being used to convey reliefs to foreign stations. The Admiralty are aware of the feeling of men abroad on this matter, and have taken, and will continue to take, every possible step to remove legitimate causes of complaint.