§ 3. Mr. Muffasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the decision of the Umpires Court in Manchester whereby Michael Patrick Giles, of Hull, was refused reinstatement under the Civil Employment Act, and that this seaman was in the Merchant Navy and had to undergo a gunnery course and to man the guns on his ship; and if he will propose the amendment of the Act to include men of the Merchant Navy.
11. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the Minister of Labour the position of merchant seamen in regard to their reinstatement in their employment.
§ Mr. BevinI have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 9th November.
§ Mr. MuffIs my right hon. Friend aware that his Department has directed 14,000 ex-seamen back into the Navy, and taken 6,000 men from the Armed Forces and directed them into the Merchant Navy; and will there be any differentiation between these two categories?
§ Mr. BevinAs I explained in my previous answer, it has been settled in negotiation with the parties concerned, and I have been asked not to convert the Merchant Navy into a military Force.