§ Mr. Awberyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why three workmen who had committed no offence were threatened with eviction from their homes at the naval base, Singapore, in November last; why the naval police intervened in what was a civil question regarding the occupation of a dwelling; and on what grounds the civil law is not applied to civilian employees at the naval base as in other parts of the island of Singapore.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. It was proposed to move three motor transport drivers and their families from official quarters in the Torpedo Depot Lines, required for Torpedo Depot workmen, to other official quarters in the naval base. After the men had represented that the now accommodation was of a lower standard, further investigation214W took place and it was decided to move only one family. There was no question of eviction and members of the naval police force, which is a civilian force, were present not to enforce the move but only to prevent pilfering and to keep the peace. The civil law applies in the naval base as elsewhere in Singapore.