§ 29. Miss Vickersasked the Secretary of State for War his policy in regard to the Royal. Army Service Corps water transport companies and in particular to No. 23 Company, Royal Army Service Corps Water Transport.
§ Mr. J. AmeryBecause of the abolition of Coast Artillery we shall in future need only two civilian-staffed R.A.S.C. water transport companies in the United Kingdom instead of five. The number of civilian-manned vessels to be operated by these two companies is still under consideration. As part of the process of reduction, the disbandment of 23 Company R.A.S.C. (Water Transport) will be completed by the end of this month.
§ Miss VickersWill my hon. Friend look into the conditions under which this unit is being disbanded? As he may know, the men are being sent to various parts of the country and are not always receiving their subsistence allowance. Some have to pay out £4 a week. One man has nine children. Others have not received a subsistence allowance since November last year. This matter is very urgent and I hope that my hon. Friend will look into it.
§ Mr. AmeryI will certainly look into the matter raised by my hon. Friend, and at any other point which she cares to put to me.