§ 15. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the men of the coastguard service were debarred from the increase of pay granted to the Navy in 1912; and if, having regard to the increase in the cost of living which has since taken place, the pay of these men will be augmented?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)As I recently stated, this question has received close attention from time to time, but it has been decided that, taking all the conditions of service into consideration, no general alteration in the pay of the coastguard was justified.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the cost of food has increased more than 50 per cent., and that these coatsguardsmen's wives and families have nothing provided for them but the barest necessaries of life?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe cost of food has increased, but I should doubt very much the accuracy of the latter part of the hon. Baronet's statement. Compared with the men in the Fleet, the work of these men is not over arduous, and they get an allowance of 1s. 4d. a day.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWhy are they not deserving of the same consideration as other classes in the Service?
§ Mr. SPEAKERYou cannot argue at Question Time.