§ 44. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade for what purposes of the mercantile marine service the balance of the unclaimed wages and effects of the deceased seamen's fund, amounting to £10,826, has been paid into the Exchequer?
§ Mr. BURNSThe balance of £10,826 18s. 10d. referred to by the hon. Member has not yet been paid into the Exchequer, but is retained to meet possible claims in respect of the five years from 31st March,1908, to 31st March, 1913. Any sum unclaimed on the 31st March, 1914, in respect of the year 1908–9 will be carried to the Exchequer during the current year. These balances are applied towards the cost of Merchant Seamen's Pensions, which has amounted in all to a sum considerably more than £1,000,000 since they were taken over by the State under the Merchant Seamen's Winding-up Act, 1851.