§ 60. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the South Atlantic General Order No. 401 inflicts hardship on cases like the Aberdeen case of P/JX162897, of which he has particulars, who was put on the South African station, married there, was then withdrawn from it and through no fault of his own was disallowed further service on that station; and if he will alter or administer this Order in such a way as to obviate hardship and the break up of families.
Mr. DugdaleI cannot agree that an alteration to the present rules is called for. These provide that a second continuous commission on the South Atlantic Station may be allowed in exceptional circumstances. More men than can be permitted are anxious to remain on of return to the Station, and cases must be judged on their merits. A man who marries in South Africa, or undertakes other responsibilities while on service on the South Atlantic Station, is fully aware that he is liable for service anywhere, and that the time will come when he will have to be drafted away.