HC Deb 21 June 1901 vol 95 cc1059-60
MR. PLATT-HIGGINS (Salford, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that owing to the insufficient number of stokers rating at Chatham, Portsmouth, and Devonport, many warships during the last six months while in the reserves have had to be content with barely more than one-third of their proper allowance of men for care and maintenance of machinery and double bottoms, and what steps he proposes to take for increasing the allowance.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

It is undoubtedly the fact that, owing to the large number of ships at present in commission, the number of stokers available is inadequate. In order to meet the deficiency 500 additional stokers are being entered during the present year.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Is there any intention of increasing the pay of the men in order to induce a sufficient number to join?

[No answer was returned.]