HC Deb 28 July 1924 vol 176 cc1767-9W
Sir B. FALLE

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can say

Mr. AMMON

The desired figures are given in the following tabular statement:

when His Majesty's Ship "Maine" is to be brought home from Malta; if her present crew is to remain with her and return with her, or if the present crew is to be brought home and, if so, when; and if she is to be recommissioned with a Maltese crew?

Mr. AMMON

His Majesty's Hospital Ship "Maine" is attached to the Mediterranean Fleet and it is not the intention to bring her home in the near future. The ship is at present under repair at Malta. The following arrangements have been made: As regards the naval medical officers and sick berth ratings, three officers have returned or arc returning to England and the remainder are remaining in the ship or have been detailed to other duties on the Mediterranean station. The ratings are being employed on the Mediterranean station temporarily and will probably return to the "Maine" when she is completed to full crew; as regards her mercantile crew, the master, two deck and four engineer officers and a reduced complement of 35 ratings, of whom 26 will be entered locally, will remain in the ship, the remainder returning to England about the end of July. On recommissioning, with the exception of the officers and a certain number of petty officers, the ship will be manned by a Maltese crew.