asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reason why an Admiralty launch was specially provided to enable Aircraftsman Shaw, otherwise Colonel Lawrence, to land on his return from India last Saturday?

An Admiralty launch was not specially provided. A naval officer-of-the-guard boards all linens which call at Plymouth, and Aircraftsman Shaw was, at the request of the Royal Air Force authorities, allowed to land in the officer-of-the-guards' launch.

Will a similar courtesy be extended in future to all aircraftsmen returning from India?

That is obviously a question that I cannot answer, and it depends, no doubt, on the action of the air officer.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman assure the House that it was Aircraftsman Shaw?