§ Sir Smedley Crookeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the advisability of transferring to home service men over 40 years of age who are serving on the seas and replace them with younger sailors who may be available?
§ Mr. ShakespeareI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given on 6th December last to the hon. and gallant Member for North Portsmouth (Sir R. Keyes). Some progress has been made with the relief of the older men, but this can only be done as and when the supply of trained younger men is sufficient to meet all fleet requirements. It is impracticable to man the Fleet entirely with men of 40 years of age and under.