§ 5. Mr. Niall Macphersonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what arrangements are made to ensure that wives of other ranks in the Royal Marine Commandos who have followed their husbands on overseas postings in the Middle and Far East are treated on a par with wives of Army personnel with regard to transport and accommodation; and why these arrangements are not working satisfactorily.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsAll arrangements for transport and accommodation of the wives of Royal Marine Commandos are made—on behalf of the Admiralty—by 447 the War Office, under the same regulations as apply to Army personnel. I am unaware that these are not working satisfactorily. If the hon. Member has any specific cases in mind and will let me have particulars, I shall be pleased to make further inquiries.
§ Mr. MacphersonI am much obliged to the Civil Lord, but is he aware that there is considerable discontent and a feeling that the Army authorities are looking after their own personnel in preference to the Commando personnel? If I send him evidence of this, will he kindly look into it.
§ Mr. EdwardsI shall be glad to look at any evidence which the hon. Gentleman can send me, but I must say that we have had no reports from the Royal Marine authorities with regard to this terrible treatment meted out by the War Office.