asked the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether the officers and men serving in destroyer flotillas employed in Turkish waters have been paid hard-lying money; and, if not, whether, in view of the duties these flotillas have been engaged upon, authority will be given for such payment?

Payment is not being made to ratings serving in those flotillas, as the Admiralty have no reason to think that the conditions of service are such as to justify payment. The payment of hard-lying money to officers serving in torpedo boat destroyers was abolished in 1919 on the introduction of the improved rates of naval pay.

Is it not a fact that officials of the Admiralty are already well paid for performing a similar task?

That is the purport of my answer.

The hon. and gallant. Gentleman evidently cannot see the joke.