§ Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the amount of the deserters' money, deceased seamen's money, and the portion of the Greenwich Fund allocated to the mercantile marine; and in whose hands these moneys are, and for what purpose they are used or intended to be used?
Sir A. STANLEYWages of seamen deserters and unclaimed estates of deceased seamen are dealt with under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts, and form part of the Appropriations-in-Aid of the Vote for mercantile marine services. The amounts so dealt with in the year 191–17 were £28,194 and £2,159 respectively. No payments have been received by the Board of Trade for some years past from the Greenwich Hospital Fund, which is administered by the Admiralty. Any surplus on the Vote, including the Appropriations-in-Aid, unexpended at the end of the financial year is surrendered to the Treasury, in accordance with the usual practice.