MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the case of four Coastguardsmen who, three months ago, were ordered from the Coastguard station at Stornoway to the Island of Moriach, 70 miles distant, to protect the cargo of the wrecked steamer Inflexible, and were employed 31 days on this service, being assisted therein by the crew of H.M.S. Starling; whether he is aware that the claim of these four men for subsistence and travelling money, amounting to 4s. per day per man, or £25 10s. in all, was paid by the underwriters, and whether these latter, in addition, granted an honorarium to the men of £20; whether the men have now been informed that the sum received from the underwriters, amounting in all to £45 10s., will be treated as prize money, and divided, not among the four men employed on the service, but among the whole body of 10 men at the Stornoway Station, on an apportionment according to rank, which will give about one- 337 fourth of the entire sum to the officer commanding the Coastguard at Stornoway, and will leave the remaining three-fourths to be divided among the men; whether this is the accustomed method of distribution applicable to such a payment received for such services; and, if so, whether the crew of H.M.S. Starling are entitled to participate therein; whether such a method of distribution is applicable, if at all, not only to the honorarium of £20, but also to the £25 10s. paid in reimbursement of the subsistence and travelling money of the four men actually employed on the service; and whether, under the circumstances, the Admiralty can reconsider their decision in this matter?
MR. E.ROBERTSONThe facts as stated in paragraphs 1 and 2 are correct. The answer to paragraph 3 is in the negative. As regards the remaining paragraphs, I he case is as follows: The sum of £24 16s. was paid for travelling expenses and subsistence, and was equally divided among the four men who were on duty. The further sum of £20, granted as an honorarium, was divided in accordance with the rule and custom of; the Service among the officer and crew of the station in shares according to their rank; and the four men also shared in this. The crew of the Starling had no claim to participate in this honorarium. The subject is not one that requires any reconsideration.
* MR. GIBSON BOWLESBut if this was prize money, the crew of the Starling under the Rules of the Service were entitled to it.
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI have given all the information I have had supplied me. I must ask for notice of any further question.