§ Mr. D. SOMERVILLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the possibility of expediting the final payments of prize money to the lower deck; and what action the Admiralty is taking in that direction?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLI would refer my hon. Friend to the replies to the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Pennefather) on the 5th and 6th December, and to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 6th December. I can 1783W assure my hon. Friend that the Admiralty are paying the claims as rapidly as possible.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will explain the continued delay in paying out prize money; how many persons are engaged in scrutinising the claims and in actually paying out the prize money, including those at the Admiralty and at the naval oases and depots; and what is the total number of officers and men who are entitled to receive prize money?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLI can assure the hon. and gallant Member that there has been no avoidable delay in the distribution of prize money. The final payment commenced in the last week of April, 1922, and, as was stated in this House on the 15th March,- it was anticipated that it would extend over a period of at least nine months. Notwithstanding the very considerable interference with the scheme of payment as advertised in order to give priority to large numbers of necessitous claimants, the distribution has proceeded faster than was anticipated and more rapidly than the first instalment. It is now approaching completion, and claims for the last two letters of the alphabet will be invited by the middle of this month. The Branch of the Admiralty charged with the examination and payment of prize claims comprises 183 persons, who are, however, responsible also for all the miscellaneous work in connection with the Prize Fund and for Medal Service Records. There is no prize staff at the Naval bases and depots borne for this purpose. Exclusive of members of Overseas Naval Forces about 440,000 officers and men are entitled to prize money. I may add that in addition to the number given above, a very large number of claims from officers and men who are not entitled to share have had to be investigated.