§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what societies are organising the provision of comforts for men serving in the Royal Naval Reserve, with special reference to the men drawn from the West of Scotland?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe R.N. War Comforts Committee co-ordinates the activities of the various organisations providing comforts for men serving in the Royal Navy generally. In this matter,232W men of the Royal Naval Reserve, from whatever area they may have been drawn, are treated as an integral part of the Royal Navy, and they receive their share of comforts distributed to the ship or establishment in which they are serving. No other organisation would be practicable, as Royal Naval Reservists are serving in all units of the Fleet.
§ Captain Pluggeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, to systematise the provision of comforts for the Navy, arrangements can be made whereby vessels already adopted can be announced so that women can concentrate on providing for those which are not benefiting?
§ Mr. ShakespeareWhile I appreciate that some local organisations may prefer to provide comforts for particular ships, such methods are liable to lead to inequalities in the supplies received by different ships and services. For this reason the Admiralty prefer that such organisations should work on behalf of the Royal Navy as a whole and to this end should consult the Royal Naval War Comforts Committee at the Admiralty. In any case, on grounds of security, it would not be possible to issue lists of His Majesty's ships.