HC Deb 04 December 1912 vol 44 cc2272-3
18. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the increase of pay to officers and men in the Royal Navy?

7. Mr. GODFREY COLLINS

also asked a question in similar terms.

Mr. CHURCHILL

The scheme will be laid on the Table of the House to-night. It is based generally on an increase of 3d. a day to A.B.'s, and stokers, first-class, after six years man's service, and 4d. to petty officers of these classes. The increase to the A.B. amounts to 15 per cent, of his substantive pay. Royal Marines after six years man's service receive an afloat allowance when embarked of 3d. a day for privates, gunners, and bombardiers, and 4d. for the upper ranks. The increase given to other ratings is adapted to the special requirements of their class. The pay of the carpenters, shipwrights, and armourers, and of the signal class, has for some time past been under the consideration of the Admiralty, experience having shown that these ratings are relatively at a disadvantage having regard to their special duties. The increase given to them is therefore proportionately greater. The scheme includes payment for good conduct badges (1d. a day for each badge) to those classes, which at present are eligible only for honorary badges, i.e., engine-room artificers, electricians, writers, and ships' stewards. Paid badges are also given to officers' stewards who at present are not eligible for badges at all. As regards kit, all ratings who now only receive part of the cost of their kit on first entry into the Service will in future receive a free kit on first entry. The scheme contains an improved incremental scale of full pay for lieutenants, whose pay will in future rise by successive shillings a day after 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years. An improved scale of half-pay is given to captains, the first eighty receiving £1 a day, the second eighty 18s., and the remainder 16s. The command money for commanders in sea-going commands will be 5s. a day. The total cost of these proposals is £380,473, of which £351,273 is for men and £35,200 for officers. The new rates will take effect from 1st December, 1912.