§ 80. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will suspend all further disciplinary action against members of the party of officers from H.M.S "Ruler," who refused to embark on H.M.S "Fifeness" at New York on 30th January, 1946, until a full investigation has been made of the circumstances in which these officers were allotted native quarters in the latter ship and denied access to the wardroom; how many of such officers have had their demobilization delayed by reason of such disciplinary action; and whether he has yet received a full report from the British naval liaison officer with reference to the allotment of such accommodation, in view of the fact that R.M.S. "Queen Elizabeth" sailed within six days with unused cabin accommodation.
Mr. Dugģdale:The decision to bring these officers to trial by court-martial was taken in full knowledge of all the circumstances, and I regret that I can see no good grounds for spending action pending further investigation. The release of four of the 15 officers involved may have been delayed, but they were allowed to 64W proceed on leave on completion of the investigations. With regard to the last part of the Question, the full Report of a Board of Inquiry has been received.