§ 51. Mr. Denville(for Mr. R. Morgan)asked the Minister of Shipping the prewar sea wage of Chinese seamen paid by the Anglo-Saxon Shipping Company and the Alfred Holt Company, respectively; what are the corresponding wages at the present time; and whether, in view of the low pre-war wages paid by some shipping companies to these Chinese seamen, he will not, for negotiation purposes, include the war risk payment which has nothing to do with wages in the increased amount which these men are now receiving?
§ Major Sir James Edmondson (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)I have been asked to reply. Some of the crews have been engaged at sterling rates and some at dollar rates. In the case of the Anglo-Saxon Company, the pre-war and present day basic rates are £3 15s. and £5 15s., respectively. In the case of Holts the rates are 31 and 75 Hong Kong dollars, respectively. In addition the former company pays a bonus of £5 and the latter a bonus varying from £3 to £5 a month for voyages in certain specified zones. It is reasonable that in any discussions regarding wages under present conditions, the Companies would have regard to both the basic rate and the special allowances.