§ 1. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Departmental Committee appointed to consider the question of pay and pension of carpenters and shipwrights in the Royal Navy has reported; and whether the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are now in a position to give their decision upon that Report?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The Committee has reported. Detailed instructions will be issued very shortly containing a full explanation of the effect of the changes outlined in the recently issued Parliamentary Paper on the subject of Naval Pay.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the extreme dissatisfaction which exists in the ranks of shipwrights with regard to the recent rise in the rates of pay?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo. The hon. Gentleman told me yesterday that there was some dissatisfaction that the men had to choose between the new rates and giving up establishment. This is fully set out in the Parliamentary Paper, which gives the rates of pay. We further propose to issue a circular letter giving the matter in greater detail immediately.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman say when that letter will be issued?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere will be no delay, but within the next few days.
§ 2. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked whether carpenters in the Royal Navy still labour under the old grievance, namely, that their pay falls below that of other mechanical officers; whether the First Lord of the Admiralty is aware that, even with the recent concessions, after ten years' service the carpenter only gets 9s. against 10s. 6d. in the case of other mechanical officers, that on promotion to chief rank no rise has been given, so that the carpenter still only gets 10s. against 11s. 6d. in the case of other mechanical officers, and on promotion to lieutenant no rise has been given, so that the carpenter still only gets 13s. against 14s. 6d. in the case of other mechanical officers; and whether, in view of the position and responsibility of carpenters in the Royal Navy, he will place them, as regards pay and pension, on the same footing as other mechanical officers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe question of the pay of carpenters has been fully considered, and under the present proposals they will receive a substantial increase to their present rate of pay. The figures given by the hon. Member in the comparisons between their rates of pay and those of artificer engineer and warrant electrician are as stated in the question. The answer to the last part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very old standing grievance with the carpenters? Is it not a fact that the carpenter is the chief man in the ship?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe think the rates given meet the value of the services of these men.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEI am sorry to say they do not think so.