§ Sir WATSON CHEYNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, if he is aware of the hardships to the passengers on board the ss. "Marama" due to overcrowding and defective sanitation; and if he will look into the matter?
§ Colonel L. WILSONMy right hon. Friend is not aware that any hardships were experienced by the passengers on board the ss. "Marama." This vessel was specially diverted to Singapore to remove the large number of civilians for whom conveyance to the United Kingdom was urgently required for medical reasons. The whole of the accommodation and the sanitary arrangements were inspected by experienced Board of Trade surveyors on arrival of the ship in this country and before the passengers left. It is clear from the report of these surveyors that there was no overcrowding, that the sanitary arrangements were quite satisfactory and that there was no reasonable cause for complaint.