Mr. C. WASONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been directed to the case of a master mariner imprisoned in Germany who is given to understand that the Government do not recognise the services of the mercantile marine; and if he can possibly make the position clear?
§ Mr. WARDLEMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The proposal made in the case referred to by the hon. Member is in effect that the Government should pay in full the wages of all officers of the mercantile marine interned in Germany. At present allowances on a pension scale are paid to the dependants in this country, and the expense of special treatment in officer1412W camps in Germany is guaranteed. I do not think that in these circumstances it can be fairly suggested that the services of the mercantile marine are not recognised by His Majesty's Government.