§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the case of the men who lost their lives in the recent disaster to submarine C11, their clothes and personal effects were sold, and out of the proceeds a week's wages was deducted, on the ground that they had been overpaid to that extent at the time of the disaster; and, if so, whether, having regard to the position of the widows and relatives of the victims, the Admiralty would consider the propriety of refunding the amount of such deduction?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The personal effects of the men who lost their lives in C11 were sold in accordance with the custom of the Service. It is not the fact that any deduction has been made from the proceeds. As a matter of fact, although the men had received an advance of pay beyond the amounts due to them, the Admiralty have decided, in view of the sad circumstances of the case, not to recover the over-payment. The men's relatives will therefore receive the full amount realised by the sale of these effects. I may further add that the dependents and relatives have already been awarded such pensions and allowances as can be granted from Greenwich Hospital funds.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYMay I ask the hon. Member whether that is a recent decision, or whether, as a matter of fact, the relatives were not at first informed that a week's wages would be deducted?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, it is not a fact that the relatives were informed at first or in any time that a deduction would be made from the proceeds of the sale.