§ Mr. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for War if he will investigate the unsatisfactory conditions for troops travelling in the "Empire Pride" and other troopships to Korea, and report to the House what improvements he will make in the conditions.
§ Mr. HeadI have looked into the conditions on the "Empire Pride" and have discussed them with my hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. The vessel is one of the troopships still fitted in accordance with the pre-war specification and the standard of accommodation and amenities is naturally not as high as that of ships fitted since the war. The international situation has compelled us to defer the planned improvements of "Empire Pride" and certain other troopships, but the work will be undertaken as soon as the movement commitments allow.