§ 82. Mr. Willisasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that several delays and cancellations of ships 289W scheduled to sail from Piraeus have occurred in recent weeks and, in view of the discontent that this causes among men awaiting release, if he will take steps to avoid this in future
§ Mr. Lawson:It is true that, during the winter months, there have been unavoidable delays in sailings due to adverse weather conditions and cancellations due to mechanical defects and breakdowns in the ships operating the homeward ferry service from Greece to Italy. I regret that as a result some 200 men of Group 26 were released in the United Kingdom some three or four days late. So far as I am aware no similar cases have occurred since then. In planning movements from Greece the time allowed is normally sufficient to offset any unpredictable delays due to weather or breakdowns.