§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether His Majesty's hospital ship "St. Margaret of Scotland" has been three years in commission with the Ægean and Black Sea Fleets; if so, whether it is proposed to relieve her or to allow her to proceed to England to recommission; and what steps are being taken to give leave to the officers and men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe "St. Margaret of Scotland" is serving with the Black Sea Fleet and constitutes the only hospital accommodation there, and I am advised that she cannot therefore be spared. The crew are on Mercantile Articles and are in the employment of the owners of the vessel, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. As the vessel was brought to the United Kingdom in February, 1918, primarily, I am told, to change crews, the company have decided that the men must be held to their articles, which they signed in February, 1918, for thirty-six months.