DECEMBER
1982 10.
OVER £1 MILLION compensation has been awarded to men who lost personal possessions in more than a dozen ships sunk or damaged in South Atlantic operations. Compensation for losses by men who died goes to next-of-kin. In awarding more than £1.1 million (representing 94 per cent of sums claimed), the Claims Commission has dealt with nearly 1,300 naval cases. Largest total for any ship is more than £400,000 to the men of HMS Sheffield, averaging £1,327 per man. Early in the conflict there had been concern when it became clear that UK insur-
ance policies covering personal effects had a war risk exclusion clause. In the sub-
sequent fighting, many Navy men lost all the possessions they had on board. But now the speedy and fair way the Claims Commission has dealt with Navy losses has brought wide acclaim, including the appreciation of the Admiralty Board. The commission has been concerned mainly with personal U possessions. Where possible compulsory kit has been replaced by gratuitous issue, while items covered by cash grants time such as officers' No 5s and mess call-up undress - have been compensated at current replacement A GROUP of Navy reservists had good reason to feel ratty Cost. when, out of the blue, call-up papers landed on their Even medal and stamp collecdoormats. tions have been covered by Three actually reported for that the system works, said a compensation. duty and 11 more phoned in, to spokesman for Centurion's All survivors were given a be told it was all a mistake Drafting Office, standard award of £30 to cover thanks to an over-helpful " See cartoon In Page 4 toilet items, cleaning gear and numan and the attention ol rats. hungry Between them they activated a system in which call-out envelopes are addressed and scaled for all men who transfer to the Royal Fleet Reserve on leaving the Service. The envelopes are packaged and held in area mobilisation centres for quick despatch if needed - but somewhere in ' Scotland a package split, or was gnawed by rats on its way from HMS Centurion's Mobilisation Office to the area centre in - '' HMS Cochrane.
Oh rats! It's
SWIFT ACFION In an attempt to put things right a railman or postal official used his initiative by despatching the contents of the parcel 47 call-out orders. After 14 of the reservists made contact, equally swift action was taken by the Navy to send out letters countermanding the orders and setting the recipients' minds at ease. The incident caused a few red faces - but at least it showed
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Steve Coflfnson
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writing material. But there was no compensation for the loss of cash and consumables. However, it is understood that there are moves to try to reverse the Treasury ruling that cash will not be refunded. Ships' officers assessed the claims for those who lost their lives and in some eases worked in contact with next of kin.
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Claims were based on the average of other claims or on the best evidence available, About 900 claims from Royal Marines personnel were dealt with, awards averaging about
£200. The high number was due to about 600 Marines having personal gear stowed in RFA Sir Galahad. The Claims Commission were Turn to back page
DELAY LIKELY ON REDUNDANCIES
A CALL to the Navy for redundancy volunteers, originally Christmas, now seems unlikely planned to be made near until the manpower situation has been clarified. When 500 Phase 1 redunwarships which had been due for departure is presumably dancy volunteers were sought, it was announced that the call for featuring in the continuing close a second - and larger - batch examination of manpower would be issued around Christneeds. Meanwhile, Phase 1 of mas 1982. the voluntary redundancy Retention of several major scheme continues as planned. But many questions remain, and great interest will be focussed on what answers are provided in the post-Falklands Defence White Paper, expected Southern this month. The Commons have been told that a decision will be taken about Portsmouth dockyard AS GOOD as new after manning levels in the light of the White Paper. her three-month South "That allows us a certain Atlantic deployment, flexibility," said Armed Forces HMS illustrious enters Minister Mr. Peter Blaker. Fort Lauderdale, "If we look at the broad Florida, for a week's picture, we have said that we visit. (See Page 8). continue with the propose t strategy set out in the White Paper last year.
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