§ 2. Mr. FALLEasked if the existing rates of pay of certain ranks of commissioned and subordinate officers, Royal Navy, namely, sub-lieutenants, midshipmen, assistant paymasters under two years' seniority, clerks, and assistant clerks were fixed some fifty years ago, and that, notwithstanding the higher standards required for entry and the corresponding increased expense of preparation, no improvement of pay has been suggested for these young officers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer is in the affirmative.
§ 3. Mr. FALLEasked whether the existing table governing the rates of retired pay of accountant officers, Royal Navy, and based upon age and service, dates from the Order in Council, 22nd February, 1870; whether the table then applied to navigating engineers, chaplains, and medical officers, as well as to accountant officers; and whether amendment and improvements have been introduced in the forty-three years interval as regards all the classes, except navigating and accountant officers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, there is only one officer of the separate navigating class now on the active list, the duties for which that class existed being 1154 now carried out by officers of the military branch. In respect of accountant officers, there has been an improvement owing to the institution, in 1903, of the rank of paymaster-in-chief on the active list with additional retired pay for service as such. The maximum retired pay to which an accountant officer can attain is now £50 in excess of that laid down in the Order in Council quoted.
§ Mr. FALLECan the right hon. Gentleman give me any hope that the matter will be looked into and revised?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, I am afraid I cannot.