§ Mr. J. P. Morrisasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the mother of Boy Telegraphist Albert Ernest James, No. P/JX 159337, who was on board His Majesty's Ship "Calypso," sunk on 12th June, was without any information whether he was a casualty until the 13th July, notwithstanding that 628W the disaster was announced on 15th June; that the boy, whose wages are 3s. 6d. per week, could not write until he got paid and then only by air-mail; that the letter was only received by the mother on 1st August; and as the letter was censored, will he say how this mother, and other persons in similar circumstances, can communicate with their relatives when their whereabouts are not known?
§ Sir V. WarrenderThe public announcement of the loss of His Majesty's Ship "Calypso" stated that the next-of-kin of all casualties had been informed. The lack of any such notification to Mrs. James was evidence that her son was not a casualty. I recognise that since the war with Italy started, mails from the Mediterranean have been subject to delay. The recently announced telegram concession was instituted to provide a method by which the nearest relatives and friends of Naval personnel could send them urgent personal messages. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Press notice concerning this scheme.