§ MR. MICKLEM (Hertfordshire, Watford)To ask the Secretary to the 1001 Admiralty whether it is the practice to pay to abstainers in the Navy a sum of 1s. 6d. per month in lieu of the ordinary rum rations; and whether, with a view to promoting temperance in the Navy, he will consider the desirability of increasing such payment to 2d. a day or 5s. a month.
§ (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) It is the practice to pay men on the temperance list in His Majesty's ships and establishments a commuted money allowance of 1s. 5d. a month in lieu of spirit. The question whether any change in the existing arrangements is desirable with the view of promoting temperance is at present under the consideration of the Committee which is dealing with canteen and victualling arrangements generally. It may be added that the particular change advocated by the hon. Member would involve an extra expense of over £30,000 a year, with a proportionate increase for every additional man placed on the temperance list by means of these incentives.