COLONEL LONGTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he could state what is the average cost per head borne by officers in the Navy for their daily messing, and the expenses of servants and upkeep of the mess; whether any and, if so, what is the average value of rations provided to officers in the Navy at the public cost; and whether the cost or any part of the cost of cooks and waiters required to keep up the officers messing is provided at the public cost.
§ (Answered by Mr. Edmund, Robertson.) The average cost per head to be borne by officers in the Navy for their daily messing and the expenses of servants and upkeep of the moss is proscribed by the King's Regulations, as follows:—In the Ward Room the monthly mess subscription is not to exceed £3. In the Gun Room the monthly mess subscription is not to exceed 30s.; but in addition to this sum, 5s. may be charged for replacing mess utensils and other necessary expenses; and the following sums may also be allowed for extras should a member choose to indulge in them, viz.:—For commissioned officers, £1 a month. For other members, 10s. a month. Each Ward Room officer entitled to the services of a Marine servant is required to pay the sum of 10s. a month to the man employed; if the services of the man are shared with another officer, each officer is required to pay the sum of 6s. a month to the man. The average value of rations provided for officers in the Navy at the public cost is l0 d. per diem. The whole cost as naval ratings of cooks and waiters required to keep up the officers' messing is provided at the public cost.