§ 89 and 90. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEwhether 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. MACNAMARAThe 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-COOKECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Admiralty have considered the suggestion I made to them?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot recall the particular suggestion which the hon. Gentleman made, but I said the matter was under consideration.