asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the interned merchant captains and officers who have now been transferred to Holland and Switzerland are in financial straits and in difficulty in respect to supplying themselves with the necessaries of life; whether he is aware that similar provision is not made for these officers as is the case with officers of the naval and military services who have been interned and have been transferred to neutral countries; and whether, in view of the national importance of the work of the merchant service, he will now ensure similar treatment for merchant service officers?

I am aware that some officers have had different treatment to others. Steps are being taken to secure, if possible, full "officer treatment" for all merchant service officers in neutral countries.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider that where officers of the merchant service are provided in neutral countries with suitable accommodation the cost of living is not entirely defrayed by the Government, and that part of it, since their pay is not paid to them, must come out of the small allowance at present paid to their wives in this country?

There, again, I should be very glad to have notice of that question before I give a reply.