§ Sir I. Fraserasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will review the scale of compensation paid to officers and other ratings in the Merchant Service for loss of uniforms, other clothes ordinarily carried on voyages, sextants, tools and other necessary equipment, with a view to raising this to figures comparable with those paid to similar ranks in the Royal Navy?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCertain rates of compensation for the loss of effects by officers and men of the Merchant Navy were fixed at the beginning of the war. Some of these rates were increased in 1940, as a result of representations made by the Officers' Societies and the Seamen's Trade Union. A further increase of 33⅓ per cent. was made in April, 1941, in order to meet the increased cost of kit due to the Purchase Tax and to the rise of prices. Since that date, no further representations390W on the subject have been received by my Department from the societies or the union, but I understand that the subject is now being discussed by the National Maritime Board. Careful consideration will, of course, be given to any proposals that may be laid before us by the Board.