§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether his attention has been called to the grievance of the seamen of the Royal Navy in having to pay heavy railway fares to their homes on Christmas leave; and whether it is possible to use vessels now lying idle in the Government dockyards for this and similar purposes?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am aware of the circumstances mentioned in my hon. Friend's question, but it is unavoidable that wherever the ships may be when Christmas leave is given expense in railway fares must be incurred by those men who do not live in the immediate neighbourhood of the port where their ship is at the time. The best arrangements are always carefully considered, having due regard to the convenience of the men as well as to the capacities of the different ports and the maintenance of the ships in readiness for service. I am not sure that I understand what vessels are referred to in the last part of my hon. Friend's question, but it is not considered practicable to convey the men to their homes by sea in Government ships.