§ 25. Mr. PETOasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether he can now state what, if any, steps have been taken to provide for continuing the payment of special annual Government bonuses to captains of hospital ships and merchant transports engaged in the Transport Department, in cases where the ships have been converted into what are termed requisitioned liners, and other such vessels which continue to carry on work of great national importance?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Sir Leo Chiozza Money)I think my hon. Friend will find on a closer examination of the facts that his contention is substantially met. Masters of troop transports on full requisition receive the Government gratuity for the whole period of trooping service. In the case of vessels on liner requisition employed from time to time in carrying troops, masters are entitled to the Government gratuity for the period during which the vessel is so employed. A liner is regarded as on trooping service if the number of naval and military passengers exceeds 50 per cent. of the total number she can carry. I may add that only fully requisitioned vessels are employed as hospital ships.