§ Mr. Hammersleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will explain the arrangements that are made in respect of leave, either with or without pay, for torpedoed seamen?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerUnder arrangements made with the representatives of the owners, officers and men, a seaman whose ship is lost, as a result of enemy action, receives full wages until he returns home or is offered alternative employment, with a minimum of one month's pay from the date of the loss of the ship. Half of the cost of these additional wages is borne by the Ministry; the other half is borne by the shipowners. On his return the seaman is not called upon to report to the reserve pool until he has exhausted his right to pay under this arrangement and has taken the service leave to which he is entitled. In all cases, arrangements are made for the seaman to have a minimum period of seven days at home before he is called upon to report for further employment.