§ 3. Commander Maitlandasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many wives of naval ratings have joined their husbands in Malta since permission to travel to Malta was granted.
§ 4. Commander Maitlandasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long the wife of a naval rating has to wait after her application for a passage to Malta; and what is the minimum fare for a single person.
Mr. AlexanderI understand that the period will vary according to the demand and the availability of shipping space, but I am afraid that it will be at least six months. The answer to the second part of the Question is £16.
§ Commander MaitlandArising out of the First Lord's answer to both those Questions, may I ask whether they do not make rather nonsense of the somewhat affable answer which I received from the Financial Secretary on 10th December, in which the Minister indicated that it was a practical proposition for wives to join their husbands in Malta?
Mr. AlexanderI do not think it makes nonsense of it at all. I said that the first thing to be done was to take a decision on the principle. The decision has been against this being done in wartime. We are doing our best to get on to a peace time level as soon as possible. I must, however, be frank with my hon. and gallant Friend and say that shipping space will delay us.
§ Commander MaitlandAs it is possible for wives to join their husbands in Malta, will the First Lord do his very best to see that the wives get out there without delay?