§ Mr. G. Griffithsasked the Home Secretary how long the "Dunera," carrying 577W internees from England to Australia, took to complete the voyage; what number of passengers was she originally fitted out to carry; how many internees were carried on the voyage; what number of lavatories were provided for each 1,000 internees; how many internees had neither bunks nor mattresses for the entire voyage; how many deaths occurred during the voyage and did they include any suicides; what thefts occurred of watches, money and other valuables from the internees; who was responsible for inflicting the injuries received by a number of them; and if any inquiry has been, or will be, made about the treatment meted out to the internees?
§ Mr. PeakeMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Shipping has furnished me with information which is appended as regards the first six parts of the Question. As regards the last three parts of the Question, I would refer to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on Tuesday last.
Following is the information:
The voyage lasted from 11th July, 1940, to 6th September, 1940–58 days.
The "Dunera" was originally fitted out to carry 2,066.
Two thousand five hundred and forty-seven internees were carried on this voyage.
Twenty-one latrines, 41 wash-basins and 14 shower baths were fitted for each 1,000 internees.
Each internee had a hammock and two blankets. There were 1,564 hammock billets and those without billets slept on the floors of the troop decks and elsewhere, using their hammocks and blankets as bedding.
There were three deaths, including one suicide.