§ Lieut.-Colonel Macnamaraasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what arrangements are made to pay men of the Merchant Navy when suffering from an illness not directly due to the war, such as malaria contracted on the West Coast of Africa; how far they are obliged to rely on poor relief; and whether he will review the situation and make a statement?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWhere illness, though not directly due to the war, is attributed to the existence on board ship of conditions that would be abnormal in time of peace and that substantially increase the risk of the disease, the officer or man concerned would be dealt with under the War Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Scheme. In other cases of illness provision is made1406W for the payment of wages for a period up to 12 weeks, if the officer or man is left behind abroad. In this country, officers are entitled to receive up to eight weeks, Merchant Navy reserve pool pay during sickness, while Merchant Navy ratings, like other industrial workers, are eligible for National Health Insurance Sickness Benefit under the usual conditions.