§ 26. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, under the new change in the Coastguard Service, the engagement is only a monthly one and that a portion of the bonus has to be forfeited, amounting the case of officers to £200; and whether, in view of these and other facts connected with the change, he can see his way to make the new position more permanent in character
§ Mr. AMERYThe conditions of service in the new Coast Watching Force are a matter for the Board of Trade, to whom I would refer my hon. Friend as regards the first and last parts of his question. As regards the refund of a portion of the bonus by officers and men of the Coastguard who take service under the Board of Trade, the sum to be refunded is subject to a maximum for each grade, which in the case of officers has been fixed at £200. The bonus paid being in the 2537 nature of compensation for discharge from the Service, it is obviously inequitable that officers and men who pass directly into the service of another Department should retain the full sum they would have received if discharged from the public service altogether.