§ 8. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any petition has been received from men employed on board the hoppers at Devonport engaged since the outbreak of hostilities in mine-sweeping operations; whether he is aware that the rates of pay of these men in one case compare unfavourably with the rates prevailing in others at the same depot and engaged in a similar capacity, and can he see his way to equalise matters in this respect; and whether he can explain why seamen on board the hoppers get no allowance or compensation such as that given to other seamen employed on similar work, nor have any guarantee of compensation in the event of an accident involving loss of life or limb other than that given in time of peace?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Admiralty has recently approved payment to the crews of hopper barges employed on mine sweeping of rates of pay analogous to those authorised for members of the Trawler Reserve, together with a victualling allowance of 1s. 5d. a day, if the men are not victualled. Compensation for loss of life or limb due to a war risk during employment would be granted under the Injuries in War Compensation Act, at rates corresponding to those granted to the crews of fleet auxiliaries.