§ 28. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Mr. P. F. Trade well has been transferred from pilot age duties at Colombo to Galle; whether he has suffered any diminution of income thereby; and whether the appointment to Galle is in consonance with the seniority of Mr. Tradewell in the pilot service?
Mr. M. MacDonaldIt was necessary that on the outbreak of war the Pilot and Examination Service at Colombo should be combined, which made the pilots concerned combatants. Of the 11 pilots all except the officer mentioned in the Question volunteered to carry out the duties of examining officers in war-time. Mr. Tradewell had conscientious objections to combatant work, and he was transferred to pilot duties at Galle where combatant duties would not be involved. Though the salary is in each case the same, the average earnings in night fees of pilots at Colombo are somewhat higher than those of the pilot at Galle, but any pilot 748 in the Ceylon service irrespective of seniority is liable to be posted for duty at Galle in the interests of the Government.