HC Deb 06 March 1941 vol 369 cc1042-3W
Mr. R. Morgan

asked the Minister of Shipping whether, in view of the fact that both British officers and men regard the £5 per month war bonus as evidence of common risk and not as connected with rates of pay, he will accord Chinese seamen, generally, equal treatment?

Sir A. Salter

The increase of remuneration given to Chinese seamen which can properly be ascribed to war conditions has taken the form in part of an increase in the basic wage and in part of a bonus. In all the cases the increase exceeds £5 a month.

Sir R. Gower

asked the Minister of Shipping the names of those shipping companies employing Chinese seamen who pay them the full —5 a month war bonus; how many shipping companies pay less; and why all Chinese seamen shipping in British vessels travelling war zones shall not all be paid on the same basis?

Mr. Cross

As stated in my reply of 18th February to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett) I am satisfied that in the case of Chinese seamen employed by all United Kingdom companies beyond Far Eastern coastal limits, their remuneration has been greatly increased and that part of the increase which can properly be ascribed to war conditions, although not called war risk bonus, is more than the figure quoted by my hon. Friend.