44. Mr. DOYLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Department how many representatives of British commercial houses have secured accommodation for transport abroad on His Majesty's warships, and what are their respective destinations; if any applications have been made by Foreign firms for similar concessions; if so, to what countries do they belong; and if any protest or objection has been raised by the naval authorities against the continuance of such an arrangement?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI have received every assistance in this matter from the naval authorities, but unfortunately up to the present, all available accommodation in His Majesty's ships proceeding abroad has been required for Naval Officers proceeding to join their ships. As I anticipated, however, when replying on December 8th to an earlier question on this subject by the hon. Member, the Department of Overseas Trade has been able in most cases to arrange for passages on ordinary lines for representatives of trading firms who have applied for assistance in securing accommodation to overseas ports. No application have been received from foreign firms for passages on British men-of-war.