§ 4. Mr. STEWARTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any payments have been awarded to naval ratings for the salvage of merchant vessels during the War; if so, will he stats the ships salved and the amounts awarded; and whether a merchant vessel chartered by the Admiralty is considered during the time of charter one of His Majesty's ships?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A statement is being compiled for my hon. Friend's information showing the names of ships salved during the War, in respect of which salvage awards have been distributed among the officers and men concerned, with the amounts in each case. As regards the second part of the question, if this refers to the status of the salvors, it depends on the provisions of the charter, or other title by which the Admiralty hold her. If it refers to the status of the merchant vessels salved, the rule is not to allow salvage to the crews of His Majesty's ships in respect of salvage services where His Majesty's Government takes the risk. In this connection I would add that in the case of the "Ernaston," recently raised by my hon. Friend, the owners took the marine risks and the Admiralty took the war risks. The loss of this ship was held to be due to war risk, the captain, officers, and ship's company having been compelled to abandon their ship by the commander of a German submarine. No claim for salvage was therefore allowed.
§ Mr. STEWARTDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to publish that statement with the Papers or will he send it to me?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI propose to send it to my hon. Friend. If he wishes any further action, perhaps he will consult with me.
§ Mr. STEWARTIt is naturally a point of great interest to the officers and men of the Mercantile Marine.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI will discuss that matter with my hon. Friend