HC Deb 07 May 1900 vol 82 cc876-7
CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now state when the gratuity promised will be paid to the men in the Royal Victoria Yard, Dept-ford, for their special services and long hours during the period that the transports were being victualled for South Africa.

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MACARTNEY, Antrim, N.)

The First Lord, being unable to be here, asks me to state that he is much vexed at the delay which has taken place. Some inter-departmental corr spondence has taken place, and some calculations were called for, but I sincerely hope the gratuity may be paid in the course of a very few days.

CAPTAIN NORTON

As a large number of the men who have passed out of the victualling yard look upon themselves as having been defrauded of this gratuity, will steps be taken to give public intimation that they will receive it?

MR. MACARTNEY

No doubt every precaution will be taken that all entitled to it shall receive it, whether they remain in the dockyard or not.