Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked whether the pay of able seamen in the British Navy has only advanced from 1s. 7d. a day to 1s. 8d. a day since 1852; if certain requests have been received from the lower deck rating for improved pay, and, if so, what the cost of granting such requests would be; and if, as the men referred to are precluded by the Regulations from taking the usual action to draw attention to grievances, an opportunity will be given to the House to discuss the matter with the object of provision being made in the Estimates of the present year for the granting of an increase of pay to these men?
§ Mr. HUNTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the pay of the able seaman in the Navy has only been raised 1d. a day during the last 50 years, and that he has now to serve twenty-two years for a pension instead of as formerly twenty years, and in view of the fact that the pay in the Army and still more the pay of other Government employés has been increased to a far greater extent in the last fifty years, he can see his way to grant a fair increase to the men in the Navy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am giving careful attention to this question, which clearly deserves to be closely examined in relation to present conditions. But at the present time I have nothing to add to what I said when introducing the Navy Estimates.
§ Mr. HUNTIs it the fact that as the cost of living has increased so much of late years it is now impossible for a married able seaman to provide for his wife and children, and is he aware that in the American and Dominion Navies the wages are two or three times as much as in this country?
Mr. HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman bring some proposal before the House in reference to the matter in the very near future?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think my answer fully covers the supplementary question. As to the question of the hon. Member (Mr. Hall) it should be addressed to the Prime Minister.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs there any truth in the statement that an inquiry is now going on at the Admiralty with regard to the payment of seamen?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have seen no such statement, but I have said I am giving careful attention to the question, which deserves to be closely examined in relation to present conditions.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs there any inquiry going on at present at the Admiralty?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNothing can be closely examined without something in the nature of an inquiry being pursued by individuals or by groups of individuals.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDIn this review of the matter will the right hon. Gentleman include the rates of pay?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt would be very unsatisfactory to try to deal with this very important subject by question and answer. I have given an answer, which shows that we are examining the question in relation to modern conditions. I should not like to go beyond that at present.