§ Mr. R. Morrisonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether dockyard workmen, who are prisoners of war in Japanese hands at Hong Kong or Singapore, are receiving any payment from the Admiralty; and, if married, whether any weekly or monthly payment is paid to their wives.
Mr. AlexanderDockyard workmen who fell into enemy hands at Hong Kong and Singapore are, while they are presumed to be alive and in enemy hands, credited, as anex gratia arrangement, with their net wages. The Admiralty is charged with the administration of these credits on behalf of the men detained, and in the exercise of this special regard is paid by the Admiralty both to the needs of dependants and to the necessity of conserving as much as possible of the employee's wages against his return. Regular payments are being made to wives on this basis.