§ 32. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the number of mercantile marine captains and officers who have served in ships managed by or for the Ministry of Shipping who are now out of employment on account of these ships having been sold or otherwise disposed of; whether the Government will consider the possibility of granting these captains and officers a certain amount of leave on pay to enable them to tide over the period that they will be out of employment before obtaining berths again; and whether, in the event of such a decision being arrived at, he will consider making it retrospective and making the amount of any such leave on pay vary according to the officer's age, circumstances, and prospects of re-employment?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Leslie Wilson)I have been asked to reply. This matter has already received attention, and the sanction of the Treasury was obtained in April last to the payment, ex gratiâ, and after investigation, of an amount not exceeding two months' pay to captains, officers and engineers, whose employment terminated 2587 owing to the sale of vessels in respect of which the Shipping Controller is in the position of owner. Furthermore, it will interest the hon. Member to know that over a year ago steps were initiated for the establishment of a scheme to relieve distress amongst masters and officers of the mercantile marine due to unemployment arising out of the War, and the fund is administered by a committee containing representatives of the officers' associations.