§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a number of Scottish drifters with their crews are still kept in the Mediterranean; whether some of these drifters are being used as dispatch boats; whether other vessels might be substituted for this service; and whether, in view of the necessity for increasing the food supply and the technical nature of a fisherman's calling, these boats with their crews can be sent home without delay?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir. A few drifters are at present employed on the Palestine coast for military communications, as roads ashore are impassable owing to heavy rains. There are no other vessels available for this service. All other drifters manned by British crews (except those required for mine-sweeping, which are manned by volunteers) are being sent home as fast as they can be dealt with.