§ COLONEL HUGHES - HALLETT (Rochester)asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he will take into consideration the case of the Engine Room Artificers of the Royal Navy, with a view to an increase of pension, and to an amelioration of their position after eight years' service, having regard to the fact that their present rate of pension and retiring status are no higher than those of officers junior to them, as, for instance, First Class Petty Officers, whose daily pay during their service is less than hall their own?
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. R. W. DUFF) (Banffshire)The Admiralty have no intention of increasing the pay or pension of the engine-room artificers. Their pay ranges from £100 to £136 a-year, and after 22 years' service a man may, at the age of 43, retire with a pension of £54 a-year, and a gratuity for good conduct of £20. They have the great advantage, both as regards pay and pension, of entering the Service as chief petty officers—a rank attained in other ratings only after many years' service.