§ 3. Sir JOHN SPEARasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction prevailing amongst the carpenters and shipwrights of the Royal Navy at the insufficiency of the rise of pay given to men of these ratings; and whether he can see his way to reconsider the matter?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I am not aware of any dissatisfaction. Carpenters have been given an increase of 1s. 6d. a day on promotion, and the rates after five and ten years' service are increased by 1s. Further, as I explained in answer to a question on Monday last, the extra pay for naval shipwrights amounts on the average to £12.7 per man per year, or 8.35 pence per day, while the grant of petty officer rating after their first year's service afloat will materially increase their pensions. It is possible that these advantages have not been fully understood, and full instructions are about to be issued to the Fleet.
§ Sir J. SPEARHas the right hon. Gentleman not received a protest against the fixture of rates which are enumerated, and in face of this dissatisfaction is there not 2048 a danger of these men leaving the Navy and seeking work in the dockyards, thereby injuring the Navy, and also putting an unfair impediment in the way of a similar class of men getting advancement in the dockyards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would not wish that to occur, and as far as I know there is no danger of it. As to whether a petition has been received since the new rate of pay I cannot say at the moment. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction, but at any rate a circular which will be issued immediately will, I think, remove some misunderstandings.
§ Sir J. SPEARAt present there is dissatisfaction. I hope that circular will be issued soon; it may do something to remove it.