§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Defence what extra payments are being paid to the civilian crews presently employed on Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels in the present South Atlantic operations.
470W
§ Mr. BlakerNone. They are carrying out the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's normal role in support of the Royal Navy.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Defence what extra payments are being made to those crew members in British vessels requisitioned by the Government in the present South Atlantic operations.
§ Mr. BlakerI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the right hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dr. Owen) on 11 November.—[Vol. 31, c.205.]
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Defence what extra payments have been made, or offered, to civilian personnel on Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels operating in the 200-mile war zone during hostile operations.
§ Mr. BlakerIn accordance with a National Maritime Board agreement effective from 6 April 1982, Royal Fleet Auxiliary crew members were paid a war risks bonus at the rate of 150 per cent. of total earnings whilst serving within 200 miles of the coasts of Argentina, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. By a further National Maritime Board agreement effective from 27 May 1982 the area in which the bonus was payable was extended northward to a line drawn east from the River Plate. The bonus was withdrawn from 28 July 1982.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the difference in bonus payments made to civilian personnel serving on commercial vessels and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels in the South Atlantic war zone during hostile operations.
§ Mr. BlakerThe war risks bonus granted during hostile operations in the South Atlantic was payable at the same rate of 150 per cent. of total earnings to all Merchant Navy officers and seamen, whether serving in Royal Fleet Auxiliaries or ships taken up from trade. The difference was in the area in which it applied. Royal Fleet Auxiliary crew members were paid the bonus whilst serving within 200 miles of the coasts of Argentina, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, an area later extended northward to a line drawn east from the River Plate. The crews of ships taken up from trade received the bonus for service in the whole area west and south of Ascension Island down to the Antarctic. The difference reflected the judgment of the National Maritime Board that the taking up of ships from trade for the task force was an emergency measure, whereas the normal task of Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels is close support of the Royal Navy at all times in peace and war.