§ 104. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will explain the rating described as "Joiner" under the heading Shipwrights and Carpenters' Crew, page 6 of Statement, showing present and new rates of pay to Royal Navy: whether this is a new rating; whether it is to take the place of the old rating carpenters' crew; whether, under the new conditions, it is still open to carpenters' crew to turn over to shipwright joiners; whether he is aware that carpenters' crew at present can only get leading seaman's rating; and whether he can see his way to place them, as regards rating, in the same position as plumbers and blacksmiths?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe ratings of carpenters' crew and leading carpenters' crew are retained with increased rates of pay, and above them a new petty officer rating of joiner is instituted, with pay from 6d. to 1s. 2d. in excess of the old rates for leading carpenters' crew. Promotion to joiner, i.e., petty officer rating, will thus be open to leading carpenters' crew, and in this respect they will be in the same position as the plumber and blacksmith classes. Transfers of carpenters crew ratings to shipwrights will only be made in special cases, at the discretion of the Admiralty. Full details are about to be communicated to the Fleet by circular letter.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere will be no undue delay.