§ 16. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the shortage in stokers in the Royal Navy, he will consider the advisability of raising their pay and see if it is possible to offer greater inducements to stokers to join this rating in the Royal Navy?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe shortage is considered to be temporary as recruiting varies at different times of the year. With regard to pay and conditions of service, I can add nothing to what was stated by the First Lord in answer to the hon. Members for Dulwich and the Ludlow Division on the 20th of May.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware the First Lord of the Admiralty stated that the falling off in the recruiting for the Navy was mainly due to the falling off in the stokers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not aware of that. There is a shortage, but I say it is attributable to the fact that the recruiting varies at different times of the year.
§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANIs any inquiry being conducted into the rates of pay 1294 of the stokers with a view to a possible increase?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe First Lord of the Admiralty stated on 20th May that we were giving consideration to the pay and conditions generally. Perhaps I had better quote the words:—
I am giving careful attention to this question, which clearly deserves to be closely examined in relation to present conditions."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th May, 1912, col. 1546.]That careful consideration is being given, but I can give no undertaking in the matter.