§ Sir R. Glynasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many vessels normally employed in the cross-Channel and coastwise passenger service around the British Isles are still requisitioned by his Department; what number of hospital ships and hospital carrier ships are in regular service; and how soon is it proposed to hand these ships back to their owners.
Mr. Alexander12 ships normally employed on cross-Channel or coastal passenger service are still on Naval service; three of these are foreign owned. 10 hospital ships are in regular service, only four of which are British merchant ships under requisition. The necessity for the retention of requisitioned ships is kept under constant review, and the position of hospital ships is under special examination. I hope to be able to release some of them at an early date. The subsequent disposal of derequisitioned ships would be a matter for the Ministry of War Transport. There are, in addition, a number of hospital ships and hospital carriers under Army control.