§ Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that refrigerated ships which could be usefully employed in bringing meat have been taken over by S.E.A.C. within the last six months for the repatriation of Indian troops; and if he will take steps to arrange for such ships to be reserved for the transport of food.
§ Mr. Barnesin order to provide the necessary troop lift required for the successful prosecution of the war, it was essential to fit all suitable British passenger vessels as troopships. Some of these ships possessed considerable refrigerated space, and, so far as it has been compatible with their primary role as troopships, they have been and are being used to bring350W refrigerated cargoes to this country. It has been necessary during the past six months to use certain of these ships for the essential task of repatriating troops and recovered prisoners of war, both British and Indian, from the S.E.A.C. area. Most of the ships concerned have already left the area and the rest will be withdrawn at the earliest possible moment.