§ 6. Mr. Winterbottomasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will institute an inquiry about the conditions in which Royal Air Force personnel are serving on Christmas Island; how long these unsatisfactory conditions have been in existence, despite complaints; and if he will give the House an assurance that a report on these conditions will be made available to all Members.
Mr. WardNo, Sir. I recognise that Christmas Island has a very difficult climate and that conditions have not been what we should have liked. But we know the problems; specialist medical and catering officers have visited the island; and many improvements are in hand.
New tentage and furniture have recently arrived; temporary buildings, including a dining hall, are under construction. A special leave scheme has been introduced. These and other measures will, I am confident, improve conditions for the officers and men who have done such a magnificent job on the island. In the meantime, we are restricting the tour of duty to a normal maximum of twelve months, but allowing it to count as a full tour when planning subsequent postings.
§ Mr. WinterbottomDoes the Minister understand that I am not trying to attack either him or his Ministry for what has taken place since he first received a 346 report about Christmas Island, but is he aware that, before that time, for 18 months there was near-revolt amongst the troops, to the extent that food was thrown at the commanding officer?
Is he further aware that the dilapidated lavatories caused men even to dig holes in the ground, that tents have blown down, and that, altogether, conditions have been atrocious? Will he institute an inquiry to ascertain why there was not a report submitted to his Ministry before October of last year, eighteen months after the troops were there in conditions not greatly dissimilar from the infamous Burma Road?
Mr. WardTo take the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question first, I have had a look at this allegation of throwing food at the commanding officer, and I find that the facts are these. Two airmen quarrelled in the N.A.A.F.I. on a Saturday evening in October and started throwing beer tins at each other, and the rest joined in. The orderly sergeant and the service police, not the commanding officer, arrived, and, before order was restored, the police had taken their turn as a target—all of which, at least, shows that there was beer there. On the second point, I was last night talking to an N.C.O. who has recently returned from Christmas Island, and, from my talk with him, I am satisfied that many of these reports have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, he himself has volunteered to go back for another tour.
§ Mr. WinterbottomIn view of the conditions on Christmas Island and the grave anxiety felt by many of the parents of boys now serving there, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.