§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the last occasion on which an increase of pay was given to the coopers, petty officers first class, was in March, 1877; and whether he will consider the advisability of granting to the coopers a similar increase to that recently given to plumbers and painters?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; but it should be noted that, although the pay of this rating has not been altered since 1877, the position of the class as a whole was improved in 1891 by the introduction of the rating of 2nd cooper, and by the cooper being classed as petty officer 1st class instead of petty officer 2nd class. The conditions of service of the several artisan ratings cannot be completely assimilated, and it is considered that the increase suggested in the cooper's pay is not required.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre we to understand there has been no corresponding increase to the coopers to that given to the plumbers and painters?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have stated that in 1891 the position of the class was improved.