HC Deb 08 February 1915 vol 69 cc247-9
91. Sir KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can say how it happened that the men of His Majesty's ship "Cedric" were required to pay their railway fares when going on leave from 18th January to the 25th; whether he is aware that this hardship was the more felt by the men because, although the ship belongs to Liverpool, the men mostly come from southern ports, and therefore the amount paid in railway fares would in some cases equal the amount of pay for the month; whether he can see his way to refund these fares; whether he is aware that the petty officers and men of His Majesty's ship "Skirmisher," when proceeding on their Christmas leave, were required to pay their own railway fares; whether he will say what constitutes Christmas leave; and whether leave given from the 23rd December to the 28th should be properly regarded as Christmas leave?

Dr. MACNAMARA

An order was issued on the 29th ultimo that in those cases where free railway passes had not been issued repayment might be made of the rail fares actually incurred by officers and men in proceeding on Christmas leave or on leave granted during the months of December and January in lieu of Christmas leave. As the cases in question would appear to come within the terms of this order, application should be made by the men concerned in the usual manner to the commanding officer of their ships for repayment of the rail fares incurred by them in proceeding on leave.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in one case the men made that application without success?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I was not aware of it. It will be attended to.

93. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty in what circumstances free travelling passes are issued to men in the Royal Navy; and whether he will see that the facilities in this respect given to soldiers are also given to sailors?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Subject to the exigencies of the Service, free railway passes are issued to seamen generally on lines similar to the issues to soldiers, with the exception that I understand that soldiers have recently been granted free railway passes when proceeding to their homes in cases of grave and urgent illness or death of a parent, wife, or child. No naval case of this nature has been brought to our notice, but it is proposed to obtain the necessary authority for a similar concession for sailors in order to provide for any cases which might occur in the Royal Navy.