asked the Minister for Defence whether he is now in a position to state when compensation will be paid to the crew of the patrol sloop "John Dunn" in respect of the salving of the steam trawler "Harry Milling" on March 25th, 1923.

I regret to say that the claim for expenses preferred against the owners of the steam trawler "Harry Milling" in respect of the salvage of that ship by the patrol sloop "John Dunn" has not yet been met. Negotiations in the matter are proceeding. Every effort is being made to bring the claim to a settlement. The crew of the "John Dunn" will then be suitably remunerated.

Will the Minister in his spare time try to realise that these men who rescued that trawler are demobilised, and some of them are on the verge of starvation; and will he do his best to hurry up the settlement of the case?

If the matter were left to my spare time, I am afraid it would have to wait. I hope to do it in my official time.