PRIZE MONEY. (Hansard, 20 July 1916)

§ 48. Colonel YATE
asked the Prime Minister whether, considering the injustice that is being inflicted on the officers and men of the Royal Navy owing to the delay in the distribution of prize money and the numerous and intricate points involved in the preparation of the Bill necessary for the purpose, he will now appoint a special Committee to collect the required information and draft the Bill necessary to deal with the matter, so that the Bill may be introduced without further delay?

§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)
The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The distribution of prize money is not being delayed because the Bill has not been prepared; in fact, a draft is already in existence. Even if the proposed Bill were passed to-morrow it would not expedite the distribution. That cannot take place until the close of hostilities, and the net amount available for distribution is actually known. As a matter of fact, the points requiring decision have recently been discussed between representatives of the Admiralty and the Treasury, and the conclusions arrived at are now under the consideration of the departments concerned.

§ Commander BELLAIRS
Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the prize money cannot be distributed until the close of hostilities? It used to be.

§ Dr. MACNAMARA
In the old days this prize money was given to the captor, but the Board of Admiralty decided that it would be more equitable to divide it over the whole Fleet, and we cannot therefore proceed to divide it until the close of hostilities.

§ Mr. ASHLEY
Will the representatives of those who die before the money is distributed get their share?

§ Dr. MACNAMARA
Certainly, that is one of the points, with a great many others, which we have got to consider.

§ Colonel YATE
Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that his argument is perfectly futile? If a Bill were drafted and the question settled it would be easier for everybody, and easier to get the names of those entitled to it?

§ Dr. MACNAMARA
I am very sorry to think that I have given a futile answer, and most of all to the hon. Member.