§ Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) how many vessels, distinguishing His Majesty's ships, Government chartered vessels, foreign Government vessels, and private vessels, and setting out each number 2729W separately, salved during the War, have had the assistance, by being towed in dangerous waters, of dockyard tugs; what remuneration was paid to the crews of each class above that which would have been paid in peace-time, exclusive of war bonus, and in the case of those ships owned or chartered by His Majesty's Government has a bonus been paid in any cases; if so, which, and is it intended to grant bonuses for the remainder; and, in the case of the private vessels, how many of the cases have participated in salvage awards; how many of the remainder are to be so dealt with; for what reason some are not so treated; whether a bonus was paid upon the steamship "Gloucester Castle "; whether it is intended to adopt the same course in all cases of the same nature; and, if not, why this course is not to be adopted; (2) whether, in cases where a salvage award has been allowed in respect of vessels salved by dockyard tugs, the Admiralty receive from three-fourths to five-sixths of the total amount; if so, if he will say upon what grounds this proportion is based; what is the amount, if any, accruing to the Government from the sum awarded to His Majesty's ships and tugs for salvage of private vessels after all liabilities have been paid; and whether, although the Admiralty have taken all liabilities for certain vessels, they refuse to pay the salvors of such vessels any bonus for their services when the salvors are their own employés, although large sums have been saved on the liability by the salvors' exertions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe whole of the information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available. It has not been the practice to pay salvage awards to the servants of the Crown for services rendered in that capacity in connection with the salvage of His Majesty's ships or of ships at the risk of His Majesty's Government or of an Allied Government. In cases in which salvage awards are made to the Admiralty on behalf of the Crown, for services rendered by the Admiralty, and their servants, in connection with the salvage of vessels other than those referred to above, the Admiralty in turn make awards to their servants. In the case of the "Gloucester Castle," bonuses were awarded to the crews of the dockyard tugs assisting in the salvage of the vessel, but this was regarded as a special case. It is not the usual practice2730W to grant bonuses for such services. The proportion of the award made to the Admiralty on behalf of the Crown which is retained by the Admiralty does not, in general, exceed three-fourths, and varies according to the extent to which the personal efforts of the salvors have contributed to the success of the salvage.
As regards the second part of the second question, the appointment is usually made by the Court or arbitrator making the award, and if no such apportionment is made, the proportions are based on the practice of the Court. As regards the third part of the question, I am afraid that I can give no indication as to the net amount which accrues to the Government after meeting expenses, as this is dependent upon the varying circumstances of each case. Where crews of dockyard tugs are employed on salvage operations deemed to be of a dangerous character, they are allowed extra pay, under the Dockyard Regulations, the amount of which varies according to the status of the vessel salved and other circumstances. Such extra pay amounts to not less than 50 per cent, of their ordinary pay, inclusive of war advances, and in certain circumstances an increase of 100 per cent, is allowed.