§ 18. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what leave it is proposed to give to the ships' companies of His Majesty's Ship "Hawkins" and His Majesty's Ship "Bee," at present serving in China, when they return shortly to England; whether it is proposed to grant any leave beyond the ordinary foreign service leave, in view of the fact that the ships' companies of these men-of-war have had very little general leave, that they have been very little to Hong-Kong, and that they have been engaged practically on active service and on duty of the most arduous and trying nature; and if he is aware that the ratings on general strike duty in 1926 received an extra fortnight's leave?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)The ships' companies of His Majesty's Ships "Hawkins" and "Bee" will be granted foreign service leave on 1859 the approved scale of seven days for each completed period of six months' service; the ship's company of His Majesty's Ship "Hawkins" will not be granted any additional leave, but the ratings from His Majesty's Ship "Bee" will be allowed an additional seven days. As regards the last part of the question, ratings employed during the general strike in 1926 were granted an additional week's leave, a fortnight being allowed only to those few men, who were recalled from leave during the general strike, in order to compensate them for the disturbance and loss of time on travelling.
§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHYDoes not the hon. and gallant Member think it is very hard on the ship's company of the "Hawkins," who have had practically no general leave during their three years in China, that they are now to get exactly the same leave as if they had been at home all the time?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI think the usual practice of the service has been observed in this case.
§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHYThe crew have been practically on active service and have had a most difficult time; cannot some concession be made?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI am aware of the facts; and I adhere to my answer.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYVery ungenerous!