HC Deb 13 May 1915 vol 71 cc1795-6
13. Mr. PETO

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the memorial signed by fifty-three masters of merchant transports, dated 23rd October last, to the Director of Transports, asking that crews serving in the ships engaged in the Government duty of transporting troops should be brought under the provisions of the Naval Discipline Acts, 1866 to 1909, and the report of the Director of Transports to the First Lord of the Admiralty of 6th March last, urging that seamen so employed should be brought under naval discipline, he has now decided to take this course?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

The question of the terms and conditions under which crews of transports are engaged is one to which close attention has been and is being given.

Mr. PETO

Has the right hon. Gentleman had his attention called to the cases now being reported in the papers where exemplary punishment has had to be administered by the civil authority, owing to breaches of discipline, to men engaged in transport?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Yes, Sir, the whole matter is receiving close attention.