Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewingasked the Minister of Transport why the troopship "Empire Windrush" was delayed four extra days at Port Said and instructed not to dock in this country until after Christmas.
§ Mr. BarnesAll the arrangements in connection with this ship were made on the assumption that she would arrive at Southampton on 27th December. When the ship sailed from Singapore four days earlier than anticipated, consideration was given to the possibility of speeding up the voyage so as to arrive in the United Kingdom before Christmas, but, at the request of the Service Departments, it was decided to adhere to the original schedule, especially as many of the families to be embarked had based their arrangements on 27th as the arrival date and it was too late to alter these.