§ Mr. Bennasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Retainer" was fully loaded with ammunition when she left Malta on 30th October to take part in the Combined Communications Exercise planned for the Cyprus area.
Mr. WardRoyal Fleet Auxiliary "Retainer" was fully loaded in the United Kingdom and sailed to the Mediterranean Fleet as an ammunition supply ship in August, 1956. In view of the political situation in the Mediterranean at that time, the Commander-in-Chief naturally ensured that her cargo was not disturbed.