§ 1. Mr. KINGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Form F 1, respecting the Royal Fleet Reserve, immediate class, has given rise to misunderstanding, and that men who expected to receive 1s. for every day in the year in any event find that on being called up after general mobilisation they receive only 8d. a day; and whether he can state that the payments now being made to this class of men are those to which they are entitled and nothing less, and that the conditions of service in the immediate class were fully understood by the men on volunteering for transfer to this class of the Royal Fleet Reserve?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)It is definitely stated on Form F 1 that when serving after general mobilisation men belonging to the immediate class of the Royal Fleet Reserve will draw a war retainer of 8d. a day. All such men are being paid retainers at that rate at the present time.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have the actual circular here, and, if it is read with the qualification that follows, it shows that 8d. a day is paid after mobilisation.
§ Mr. KINGIf an earlier statement needed to be qualified by a later statement, is it quite clear to ordinary men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is quite clear if the whole be read together.