§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether the officers of War Department sea-going ships are to be granted a gratuity for their War service on a similar scale to that paid in the Army, Navy, and merchant service; and, if not, will he state the reason for depriving these men 730W of the rights and privileges accorded to other services doing similar work?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI have been asked to reply. The officers in question are employed and paid on a civilian basis, and are not eligible for any gratuity for War service.
§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether he is aware that the standard rates of pay for officers of the merchant service in operation since October, 1917, have recently been awarded to officers of Trinity House vessels, but are withheld from the masters and deck and engineer officers of the sea-going ships of the War Department fleet; and whether he will state the reason for this differentiation?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI have been asked to answer this question. The claim for National Maritime Board standard rates in regard to the civilian crews of sea-going vessels in Admiralty employ was refused by the award of the Court of Arbitration (687) of 20th August, 1919. As the crews of the War Department vessels are paid on the same basis as the Admiralty crews, the National Maritime Board rates are not applicable. The question, however, of some adjustment in the remuneration of the crews of the seagoing vessels is receiving consideration.