§ 1. Mr. PETOasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the wearing of their uniforms ashore by merchant captains and officers has been officially sanctioned by the Admiralty and the Board of Trade; 1650 whether he is aware of cases where senior naval officers have questioned these uniforms, stating that, being similar to naval uniforms, they are calculated to deceive and, as such, those wearing them are liable to prosecution under the Defence of the Realm Act; and whether, in order to avoid placing such indignities upon merchant captains and officers and for the sake of better order and discipline on merchant vessels, he will consider the desirability of adopting a standard uniform recognised by the Government for the use of officers of the merchant service, thus abolishing those uniforms of a heterogeneous kind which are adopted by different shipowners and which are liable to question under the new conditions of the law?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The whole question is receiving the consideration of the Admiralty and of the companies and persons interested, and the suggestion in the last part of the question will be borne in mind.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon Gentleman bear in mind that this is a matter of some urgency, as it is more necessary in time of war than in time of peace?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI assume that.