§ Sir H. CAYZERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether leading stokers have the right under Regulations to be at home for six months prior to the date on which they are due to be discharged after completing 22 years' service; and, if so, whether he will issue instructions for Leading-stoker Smith, of H.M.S. "Barham," to be relieved and sent home, seeing that his time expires in December next, as has been done in the case of other ratings on this vessel?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Arrangements are, however, made to enable ratings due for discharge to pension to spend the last few months of their pensionable time on a home station. There is no reason to suppose that these arrangements will fail in Smith's case and no special steps are necessary.