HC Deb 15 July 1918 vol 108 cc674-5
5. Mr. PETO

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to enable those merchant captains and officers, who, having been interned in enemy countries, have now been transferred to Holland and Switzerland, to meet the expense for living which they necessarily incur?

Sir A. STANLEY

All the merchant captains and officers who have been transferred to Holland and Switzerland are being provided with board and lodging by the officers in charge of the interned in those countries. The majority of the captains and officers are already receiving "officer" treatment, and steps have been taken to secure that all captains and officers shall receive "officer" treatment.

Mr. PETO

Will the right hon. Gentleman give his attention to the terms of the question, which relate to meeting the expense of living? When they do receive "officer" treatment tinder the House of Lords decision they do not receive any pay. What they do get is not enough to meet the cost of living in the neutral country.

Sir A. STANLEY

I gather what the hon. Gentleman has in mind is that the allowance now is not adequate to meet their real needs, and that aspect of the question is now engaging our attention.