HC Deb 08 February 1915 vol 69 c247
89 and 90. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

whether he will consider the advisability of whether he will consider the question of revising the scale now in force with regard to pay of chaplains in the Royal Navy; whether he will consider the advisability of paying them 12s. a day for the first four (instead of five) years and then raising them 2s. instead of 1s. a day every three years up to 19 years, then giving a rise of 2s. a day every two years till the end of the twenty-seventh year, when the maximum of 30s. would be reached, the present extra allowances for shore appointments not to be affected by these increases.; and (2) whether he is aware that the pay of naval chaplains compares unfavourably with that of Army chaplains; that since 1870 the pay of every rank and rating in the Navy has been increased, whereas no addition has been made to the pay of naval chaplains; that during the last 45 years the cost of living has gone up considerably, a matter which the Admiralty have recognised on many occasions when giving additions to naval pay, but one that has apparently been overlooked in the case of the chaplains; and will he consider the advisability of now increasing the pay of these chaplains?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The question of the pay of naval chaplains is now under the consideration of the Board of Admiralty. I cannot, however, give any undertaking in the matter.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Admiralty have considered the suggestion I made to them?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot recall the particular suggestion which the hon. Gentleman made, but I said the matter was under consideration.