§ 40. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is in a position to state the amount of prize money available; and when it will be paid.
Mr. DugdaleAs after the 1914–18 War, a considerable time must elapse before the amount of prize money can be determined because in condemning ships and cargoes seized in prize, the Prize Courts throughout the Empire have not distinguished between droits of the Crown and droits of Admiralty. We are trying, in close consultation with the Dominions, India and Burma, to estimate as accurately as possible the amounts which should become available, as droits of the Crown, to be granted for the benefit of the Naval and Air Forces of the Empire. Until returns are received in a common form from all Empire Prize Courts, it will not be possible to frame a sufficiently accurate estimate of the amount or to forecast when grants can be made. I must, however, repeat my former warning that the 430 amount will certainly be very much smaller than after the 1914–18 War. Legislation will also be necessary, and this cannot be introduced before next Session.
§ Lieut.-Commander BraithwaiteWill the hon. Gentleman tell us whether the Board of Admiralty have yet decided what will be the service qualification for entitlement to this prize' money when it is available?