asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why gratuities due to time-expired naval personnel, who are now required to continue in the Service, have not so far been paid.

These gratuities are to help men to settle in civilian life and are paid on discharge or transfer to the Reserve. Those men who have been retained will draw their gratuities on final discharge. Meanwhile they continue to accumulate at the rate of £25 per year up to a maximum of £200.