HC Deb 11 February 1942 vol 377 cc1519-20
38. Mr. Bellenger

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether all the survivors of the "Ark Royal" have been returned to this country for rekitting?

Mr. George Hall

No, Sir. Local requirements which could not otherwise be met necessitated the retention on the ship's station of a proportion of the survivors. These were mainly officers and ratings of the Fleet Air Arm.

Mr. Bellenger

Is that proportion a small one, and as quite a large number of these survivors have been returned to this country for rekitting, and thereby enabled to meet friends and relations, will my hon. Friend do his best to see that the others are returned as soon as possible?

Mr. Hall

I understand that the number is relatively small. Whether these survivors will return to the United Kingdom in the near future will depend upon operation requirements. They are, of course, refitted at their station.

Captain McEwen

Is it in order for an hon. Member to invent English verbs?