§ 20. Captain Sir Peter Macdonaldasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what arrangements he is making for the speedy repatriation of West Indian and Bermudan aircrew personnel, and their families, whose release date has long since passed: and why such shipping accommodation as is available has been allotted for the repatriation of West Indian ground personnel who have seen much less service.
Mr. Ivor ThomasOn their release West Indian and Bermudan officers and aircrew are usually given passages by the routine shipping services, which we realise are not yet back to normal. This is generally the quickest way for them to go home, and even those who need extra accommodation for their families should not have to wait much more than a month after their normal release date. There is no question of allotting all the accommodation for West Indian ground airmen.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldIs it not a question of providing more transport to get these men home, and overcome the present serious bottlenecks?
Mr. ThomasAs I have stated, the delay, even for a man who wants to wait to take his family with him, is not more than one month. The Government are doing all they can to accelerate shipping.