§ 33. Mr. Ammonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what arrangements have been made for bringing home from Malta the wives of the naval ratings who have been withdrawn?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe wives of naval ratings who wish to go to Malta have normally to make their own arrangements at their own expense for going out and returning. Arrangements were, however, made this year for certain liners to make special calls at Malta, if requested by the local naval authorities, since the Mediterranean Fleet will be absent from Malta longer than usual, and wives may in consequence return to England earlier than intended. So far as I am aware, no such request has been made. Apart from the usual reliefs, no naval ratings have been withdrawn from the Mediterranean Fleet.