§ Sir J. Lucasasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the wives of ratings, whose husbands are shore-based at stations abroad, have to pay for their own passages, whereas the wives and families of naval officers get free transport; and whether he will take steps to see that the latter privilege is extended to the wives of all ranks.
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Mr. AlexanderThe privilege of free family passages was recently restored to naval officers appointed for shore duties in certain localities abroad provided their appointments are expected to last two years without the liability to go to sea. This was a resumption of the pre-war position, and the reason the naval rating does not participate is that when drafted abroad he is, unlike the officer, normally liable for service afloat and remains so during his tour of service even if drafted to a shore billet. The position of the naval rating employed on shore abroad for extended periods will be examined as a post-war problem.