§ 34 and 35. Mr. TICKLERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) if he is aware that several of the owners of steam trawlers whose vessels have been requisitioned for mine sweeping have refused to sign their charters, as the hiring amounts offered are insufficient to adequately recompense them for the loss of their services and the owners have never received payment for their hire nor anything for the stores; whether he will cause inquiry to be made into this state of affairs; and (2) whether he is aware that the owners of the fishing vessels at the various ports have readily placed their vessels at the disposal of the Admiralty for mine sweeping and other purposes, and that the terms for hiring the trawlers have not in all cases been satisfactory to the owners; will he state how, if the vessels are lost, the amount to be paid is calculated; if, upon the return of the vessels to their owners in a damaged condition, the Admiralty will pay the costs of the necessary repairs to enable them to be used for their original purpose of fishing; and will the authorities promptly settle the agreed amounts for such repairs and renewals?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards rates of hire, in all cases in which claims have been rendered payment has been made at the Admiralty rates of hire. I understand that there have been cases where owners would not render claims on this basis 1129 fearing they might thereby prejudice their application for reconsideration. They have been asked to forward claims upon which payment would be made to them without prejudice to any representations which they might hereafter wish to make. As regards payment for stores, these have in point of fact been passed in nearly all cases. As regards vessels lost, the amounts payable have been fixed on the basis of the value of the hull and outfit, and the machinery and boilers, as ascertained by Lloyd's Register of Shipping, with a depreciation on the residual value for each complete year of the vessel's age. The terms of the charter party provide that the vessel, her outfit and machinery shall, at the cost of the Admiralty, be handed back to the owners in the same condition as when they were taken up, ordinary wear and tear alone excepted. I am aware that some objection has been taken to the rate of hire and to the amounts to be paid in the event of loss. Arrangements will be made to give trawler owners an early opportunity of stating their views.