§ 5. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the 6th March, 1919, the Prime Minister received a deputation from the Seafarers' Joint Council, who urged the prior claims of the officers and men of the merchant service and their dependants for reparation from the enemy, and that the Prime Minister informed the deputation that his instructions to the British delegates in Paris were that the first demand put forward must be full compensation for loss at sea, including compensation to the people, who had suffered through their relatives having lost their lives, and that this must be paid as the first claim; and whether the sum of £100,000, which has been recently voted by this House for grants in respect of compensation for suffering and damage by enemy action, will be wholly devoted to the claims for reparation which have been lodged by merchant seafarers and their dependants?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hilton Young)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer 1739 the hon. Member to the statement made by me in Committee of Supply on the 23rd ultimo.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERDoes that mean that men who have suffered at sea will have first claims on this £100,000?
§ Mr. YOUNGI stated in Committee that the Royal Commission dealing with this matter are giving the seamen's claims special attention.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERAre not the claims of those who suffered at sea claims of very special urgency?