§ 12. Mr. Rentonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when those wives of officers and men of the R.N., who are now in Australia awaiting transport to the United Kingdom, will be given facilities to travel; and whether he will ensure that all such ladies will be given priority before fiancees are given such facilities.
Mr. DugdaleThe priority to be granted to wives of British officers and other ranks married whilst in Australia is a matter for decision by the Australian Passage Priority Board. Representations have been made to the appropriate authorities in Australia, suggesting that priority accorded to them should be up-graded, so that they rank immediately after persons proceeding in the national interest, and before those186W travelling on private account. Arrangements have also been made to bring about 700 wives and dependants of Royal Naval officers and ratings from Australia to the United Kingdom in an aircraft carrier in the near future. If the Australian Passage Priority Board accepts the suggestions made for the priority of wives, all the wives ready to leave Australia will be given passages before fiancees.