§ Mr. BROOKESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements, if any, can be made to give occasional leave to men not on the strength of the Navy but engaged afloat on Admiralty vessels employed in subsidiary operations; and whether some of them have had no leave for three years?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI assume my hon. Friend refers to the officers and men engaged on commissioned Fleet Auxiliaries. As regards these vessels, under existing arrangements twelve days' leave per annum, exclusive of travelling, is provided for, and in the majority of cases leave is granted every six months where the exigencies of the Service permit. As regards these vessels when serving abroad, provision is made for the officers and men who have been abroad for more than eighteen months to be relieved if they so desire, and all the officers and men whose applications have been forwarded and who appear to be entitled to relief have already been received and whose cases are being relieved, with the exception of a small number whose applications have only just been received and whose cases are being dealt with as speedily as the supply of reliefs allows. If my hon. Friend is aware of any cases of hardship, I shall be glad to have them inquired into if he will furnish me with particulars.