§ 7. Commander Nobleasked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and other ranks, respectively, have travelled between this country and Jamaica by ordinary sea passenger service since 1st January, 1947, and how many by Government transport.
§ Mr. ShinwellThirty-three Army officers and 293 Army other ranks travelled from this country to Jamaica by ordinary sea passenger service between 1st January, 1947, and 5th February, 1948. During the same period 34 Army officers and 947 Army other ranks travelled to Jamaica by Government transport.
§ Commander NobleIn view of the shortage of passages available to the general public on this route, will the Minister give an assurance that such trooping will be cut to a minimum?
§ Mr. ShinwellIt is not easy to delay the return of officers and men because of the non-availability of Government transport, so we have to use whatever transport is available.