asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the purposes for which the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, requires a Service motor cyclist escort when proceeding on official business within his command; and whether, in view of the shortage of man power in the R.N., he will consider reducing all such employments.

Mr. Dugdale:

On some official occasions, the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, uses ratings of the Naval Provost Marshal's staff to accompany him as a motor cycle patrol, in order to keep a check on the standard of behaviour and of dress of naval personnel in the Portsmouth Command. These are now so improved that. recently, the strength of this patrol was reduced from two men to one, and the frequency of employment diminished. In view of this improvement, the Commander-in-Chief intends to discontinue the use of this motor cycle patrol in the near future.