asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that when sailors are off sick they receive only National Health Insurance benefit, while officers, mates and engineers, when sick, are made up to full wages out of pool; and will he have inquiries made into the reason why such difference exists?

Under the agreements recently negotiated by the National Maritime Board, officers who are sick receive 85 per cent. of basic pay for a period of two months in any 12 months. I am informed that this arrangement was made because, unlike the ratings, many officers are not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.