§ MR. HARMSWORTH (Caithnessshire)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state why the price of clothing to the lower deck ratings was recently raised; and whether he will take steps to fix a uniform price for the articles of clothing used by the Bluejackets.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) A full explanation of these variations in 1310 price will be found in the reply I gave to the honourable Member on the 15th April last. As I pointed out then, any rise or fall in the prices charged to the men is solely the result of a rise or fall in the prices paid by the Admiralty. It is not considered advisable to fix a uniform price for these articles, as such a course would sometimes involve a loss to the Crown and at other times a loss to the men