§ 15. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that His Majesty's Ship "Renown" is not to be refitted until after her second leave, he will consider the possibility, in order to give the crew longer time with their wives and families in Devonport, of arranging for her to go to Devonport first and give leave from there and then proceed to Portsmouth for refit?
Mr. ALEXANDERI regret that it is not possible for His Majesty's Ship "Renown" to visit Devonport to give leave before proceeding to Portsmouth for refit, as the vessel is to be taken in hand on arrival at Portsmouth on 17th July. The extent of the rent precludes any delay in the commencement of work.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that great privation 422 is put upon families now, especially with the marriage allowance reduced, in having to pay these railway fares from Portsmouth to Devonport?
Mr. ALEXANDERThat is a very old question which has often been answered before, and I am unable to revise the previous decisions. The hon. Member also seems to think that it applies only to people who happen to live in the port where a ship is commissioned. There are always people on board ship who have to go all over the country to see their relatives. There is no greater hardship in the case of the hon. Member's constituents than there is in the case of ratings who live in other places.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThen why cannot the Admiralty pay railway fares wherever they live?