§ 18. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that four civilians attached to the Shore Wireless Service were asked in April, 1918, to volunteer for service in Italy under civilian conditions as to pay and privileges similar to those they were enjoying; whether these men were required to proceed from Ancona to the Bosphorus, and kept on board His Majesty's ship "Cæsar"under naval routine and conditions; whether he will say why payment has not been made in accordance with the agreement under which the men accepted this service; and whether he will make arrangements for them to be released by naval ratings?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe facts are as stated in the first and second parts of my hon. Friend's question. The men referred to are General Post Office operators, who are allowed to wear uniform and are borne on ship's books for protective purposes. The question of their pay is a matter for the Postmaster-General. As regards their release, orders were given in January that they should be sent home if no longer required.