§ 35. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether he received a deputation of British merchant seamen on 4th March, 1919, with reference to the claims for reparation of the men who lost their lives in the mercantile marine during the late War; whether he instructed the deputation to cause claims to be put in immediately and informed the members of the deputation that their claims would be among the first to be paid; whether he is aware of the many cases of distress among the widows and dependants of the men killed and among men disabled; and whether he will consider some augmentation of pensions for these persons until such time as an indemnity is paid by Germany?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe deputation referred to was received by the Prime Minister whose attitude was, I understand, substantially as stated in the question. All cases in which men were killed or disabled through being mined or torpedoed on British merchant ships come under the War Risks Compensation Scheme, and I am not aware that there is distress in these cases. A Select Committee has been appointed to consider further the pensions for the mercantile marine.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask whether, in view of the fact that no indemnity will be received for a considerable time, he can see his way to give these unfortunate people some advance of money, and is he aware that there are many cases of serious distress amongst them?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am told that is not the case and that there is not serious distress, but the fact that we are appointing a Committee to examine into their cases is a proof that we are trying to meet their needs.