§ Mr. TICKLERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that many skippers and officers who have been serving on mine-sweepers and patrol vessels during the War are anxious to purchase some of the trawlers and drifters which the Admiralty have built; and will he lay down a scheme of easy purchase for these men, so that they may be able to become the owners and receive some recompense for the arduous and dangerous duties they have performed for the nation?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am much obliged to my hon. Friend for putting this question. We certainly feel under obligation to do what we can for the fishermen of the Royal Naval Reserve (T), who have served in the Auxiliary Patrol, in order that they may be started again as advantageously as possible upon their old occupation. I am not in a position at the moment to announce the precise character of our proposals. But I hope to be able to do so at an early date.