§ Mr. SHINWELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether allowances under the war risks compensation scheme are being reduced because of the recent reduction in wages of seamen; whether these allowances are determined by wages ruling in the industry; and whether there is any statutory authority for this procedure?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEUnder the war risks compensation scheme compensation is payable in respect of loss of earning capacity. In cases where a seaman is employed, the rate of pay for the time being in force apply in assessing the amount of compensation based on half the difference between the amount which he is now earning and the amount which he could have earned had he been fully employed at sea in his former capacity. The numerous rules of the scheme are not embodied in any statute, the scheme as a whole being first sanctioned by the Government War Obligations Act, 1915, and being now provided for in the estimates of the year subject to the control of the Treasury.