§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the conditions and scales of rates for hire of merchant vessels requisitioned by the Admiralty remain in accordance with the Report on Sub-Committees of the Admiralty Transport Arbitration Board which were appointed on the 22nd September, 1914, and issued in the form of a Blue Book; and, if not, what, if any, changes have been made?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe rates recommended in respect of tramps were increased by the Tramp Agreement, dated 1st March, 1915 (the increase taking effect as from the 1st January, 1915), and for small colliers and for oil tankers by special agreement taking effect from the same date. An agreement supplementary to the Blue Book and the Tramp Agreement was also arrived at for steamers of smaller tonnage than was provided for in the Blue Book. The rates as so amended have since remained unchanged for these types of vessels. Supplementary agreements have also been made reducing the rates for armed merchant cruisers of lower speeds throughout their period of engagement and for all vessels of this type after a year's service. With these exceptions the rates and conditions as published in the Blue Book in 1914 remain in force for all vessels requisitioned by the Admiralty.