§ 57. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in 1889 a new scale of pay came out for ships' stewards, when the right was reserved for the men to adopt the new scheme or remain on the old; that at that date the maximum pay was 7s. per day; that in 1910 a new circular was issued reducing the maximum to 6s., a foot-note appearing to the effect that the ships' stewards' assistants and ships' stewards then serving would be allowed to remain 794 at the old rates of pay; that last December another circular was issued but without the foot-note, and that by this omission many men serving are deprived of getting the maximum rate of pay; whether the men regard the omission as a breach of contract on the part of the Admiralty; and what steps, if any, it is proposed to take in order to meet the position?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe facts as stated in the earlier parts of the question are correct. It is true that the foot-note which appeared in the circular of 1910 was not repeated in the circular issued in December, 1912, but this did not indicate any change of policy. A ship's steward who entered the Service before 1st January, 1911, is entitled to, and will be paid, the 7s. rate of pay, if and when he fulfils the conditions required for that rate, namely, twenty years' service as ship's steward.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to circulate this answer in the dockyards?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not know whether the dropping of the foot-note to the circular of September led to misunderstanding. The men have not been prejudiced. If there should be any misunderstanding, we shall take care that they know.