§ 87. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider the introduction of assisted passages to the wives and families of naval ratings serving at Malta similar to those in force for the Army and Royal Air Force?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMAs "assisted passages," i.e., those towards which the Government contribute part of the cost, are not granted to the wives and families of Army and Royal Air Force personnel, I assume the hon. Member refers to "indulgence passages." Conditions of service in the Royal Navy differ from those in the Army and Royal Air Force, and I am afraid that an indulgence passage system similar to that in force in the other Services cannot be adopted. I might add, however, that, to meet the exceptional case of men who have been transferred from the Mediterranean to the China Station, indulgence passages for their wives and families to England will be granted in military transports when spare accommodation is available.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWhat is the reason for this discrimination against naval ratings as compared with the Army and the Air Force?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMIt has been the custom in the service for a great many years, and the present financial 195 condition of the country makes it impossible to contemplate any alteration at the present time.