§ Sir R. Youngasked the Minister of War Transport whether the ss. "Talma" is still used for the transport of troops; whether the same number of personnel is carried; and what alterations have been made to make transport more comfortable, to avoid disagreeable incidents such as occurred when men of a certain Army unit showed their displeasure by leaving the ship.
§ Mr. BarnesThe "Talma" is still employed as a troop transport in the Far East. I have received a report that, on one occasion, following complaints of overcrowding after embarkation, the officer commanding troops in collaboration with the military embarkation commandant arranged for 140 other ranks to disembark. I am looking into this matter further and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.