§ 40. Mr. CHADWICKasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if there are at present any merchant shipmasters or officers still prevented by the Admiralty from taking charge of any British ship for reasons arising out of their professional conduct at sea during the War; and, if so, whether, having regard to the magnificent conduct of British merchant seamen during the War and in view of the fact that hostilities have now ceased, the Admiralty will remove such restrictions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am advised that there are eight masters and one chief officer in respect of whom there are still restrictions imposed by the Admiralty against their taking charge of any British 1328 ship, for reasons arising out of their professional conduct at sea during the War. Whilst recognising fully the magnificent conduct of the British merchant seamen generally during the War, it is not considered desirable to cancel all existing restrictions so long as dangers from mines exist, necessitating implicit obedience on the part of the master to the Orders issued by the Admiralty for the avoidance of such dangers, and so long as the movements of ships of the Mercantile Marine in this respect continue to be under the control of the Admiralty by virtue of the powers conferred upon them by Defence of the Realm Regulation No. 37. Individual cases are, however, considered on their merits on representation, and since the date of the Armistice "bans" or restrictions have been removed in respect of nineteen masters.