§ COLONEL KING-HARMAN (Kent, Isle of Thanet)asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether coastguardsmen who, if they had remained in the active service of the Fleet, would be entitled to twopence extra per diem, receive that extra sum when they are called upon to go on active service; and, if this is not the case, what reason there is why these men should receive less daily pay than their shipmates; and, whether steps will be taken to remedy this injustice?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. HIBBERT) (Oldham)In reply to the hon. and gallant Member, I can only say that it is not considered there is any sufficient reason for granting the additional 2d. per day to Coastguardsmen when called out for the short summer cruise. It is well understood that one of the conditions of service in the Coastguard is that men will have to keep up their seafaring qualities by short cruises of this kind. If Coastguardsmen are called out for active service in case of emergency they would be entitled to the re-engaged pay; but in that case their service would be beyond the conditions of a summer cruise. It is to be remembered that while they are afloat their wives and families are still inhabiting free quarters at home, which is not the case with the men with whom a comparison is sought to be established. I may add that the Coastguard Service is very popular, so much so that it has been found necessary to make the qualifications for appointment more stringent.