§ Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Belgian Government have decided to 958W pay seamen of Belgian nationality who have been interned by the enemy; and whether the British Government will take similar action in the case of officers and men of the British Mercantile Marine?
Sir A. STANLEYI have not heard of the decision referred to in the first part of the question Owners are in some cases paying the wages of the officers and men interned in Germany, either wholly or in part, or are making otherex gratia payments. It would hardly be possible to make the payment of wages during internment compulsory or to pay such wages out of public funds.