HC Deb 13 November 1951 vol 493 cc796-7
14. Brigadier Prior-Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on the conditions in which soldiers travelled in the troopship, "Empire Pride," which sailed from Liverpool on 9th September.

Mr. Head

This vessel has an authorised maximum capacity of 142 cabin berths and 1,498 hammocks, making a, total of 1,640 passengers. One thousand, five hundred and sixty-six passengers were embarked at Liverpool. Of these, 1,444 were provided with hammocks on troopdecks and the remainder were in cabins. Embarkation of further passengers at no time filled the vessel to its capacity.

During the voyage the health of the troops is reported to have been unusually good. Messing was generally satisfactory. Training, lectures, discussions and a variety of entertainments and sports were arranged.

24. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for War how many troops can normally be carried in H.M.T. "Devonshire"; and how many were carried on her recent trip from Korea.

Mr. Head

On this voyage from Korea the largest number of troopdeck passengers was 1,738, from Singapore onwards, of whom 25 disembarked at other ports before reaching the United Kingdom. The vessel has an authorised maximum capacity of 1,816 troopdeck passengers. This involves hard lying for 460 men and, whenever possible, we keep the numbers below this figure. The number on this voyage was accepted only in order to get the men home quickly.

Brigadier Clarke

Does my right hon. Friend realise that many of these troop ships are designed for shorter runs, and on these long runs it is extremely uncomfortable for the men? Will he try to do something to relieve the situation?

Mr. Head

I am aware of that fact. Indeed, the vessel concerned, the "Devonshire" was earmarked for con version in the early part of this year in order to improve conditions on the vessel. In this particular case the majority of the passengers were men from Korea, including some of the Gloucesters, who were anxious to get home as quickly as possible. If the men concerned had been consulted, I think they would have chosen rather to endure some hardship on the vessel than to wait longer.

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

In view of the fact that some of us are getting very disturbing reports about congestion on troop ships, will my right hon. Friend be willing to receive evidence, and look into it if it is produced, with figures somewhat contrary to the ones which he has given to us?

Mr. Head

This question of the conversion and improvement of conditions on troopships is being gone into very care- fully. There is a programme which has been agreed with the Ministry of Transport, and the only reason it is not going forward as quickly as we should like is the very great increase in troop movements which has been necessitated by the foreign situation.