Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that a cadet in the Merchant Navy, having served a period of three years at sea, is expected to come home and take a promotion course of three months; that such a cadet is paid for the first two months by the Merchant Navy Pool and thereafter has to depend on his unemployment insurance of 16s. per week for all expenses; and if he will take steps to make better provision for men of the Merchant Navy?
680W
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe National Maritime Board, which includes representatives of all the officers and men's societies decided, after full consideration, that apprentices, cadets and deck ratings who are candidates for the second mate's certificate examination, should be allowed two months' leave ashore to complete their studies. For this period, the candidates, under a National Maritime Board agreement, receive their full pay at the Reserve Pool rates. An additional month's leave may be allowed; Reserve Pool pay is not given, but as a special concession the candidates may receive Unemployment Insurance Benefit.