38. Mr. Graham Whiteasked the Minister of Health what authority is responsible for the immediate provision of clothes and amenities for shipwrecked crews either of the Navy or the Mercantile Marine; and, in particular, who should have secured these for shipwrecked sailors landed at an East Coast port on 18th May?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 29th February to my hon. Friend the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor). As regards naval crews, I understand that in practice the local naval officer in charge makes the necessary provision, and I am informed by those responsible that in the particular case to which the hon. Member refers the naval officer in charge took immediate and effective steps to care for the survivors.