§ Major GLYNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what ships, their tonnage and nationality, have been since 1st January, 1919, and are now engaged in the transportation of troops from the United Kingdom to Russia?
Colonel WILSONThe following are the particulars required:
Ship. Tonnage. Nationality. ss. "Braemar Castle" 6,313 British. ss. "Czar" 6,516 British. ss. "Czaritza" 6,598 British. ss. "Menominee" 6,919 British. ss. "Porto" 6,636 Portuguese. ss. "Pretorian" 7,650 British. ss. "Quilpue" 3,369 British. ss. "Stephen" 4,435 British. ss. "Umtali" 2,622 British (not now Used for trooping).
§ Major GLYNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the class of ship employed in the transportation of British volunteer troops from the United Kingdom to North Russian ports has been the cause of considerable complaint from both officers and men composing the Relief Force; whether a certain vessel recently engaged in the repatriation of Belgians, and having no outside portholes or special ventilation arrangements for the men's quarters, sailed from Newcastle-on-Tyne on the night of the 29th/30th May, in spite of urgent representations made by the officers to the officials of the Ministry of Shipping; and whether he will now order that every consideration should be given to the comfort of the troops proceeding oversea on this duty, and that no vessel be chartered for this service that was designed for the cattle trade?
Colonel WILSONThis Department has received no serious complaints from officers and men of the North Russian Relief Forces, but if specific instances can be given they will be fully investigated, as will the statement that complaints were made on the ship which sailed from Newcastle-on-Tyne on 29th/30th May. Every consideration is given to the comfort of troops proceeding oversea on this or any other duty. Ships designed for the cattle2286W trade make exceptionally good troopships, as they invariably have high 'tween decks and good ventilation.