§ 91. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can say if the obligation on the part of the parents to provide their sons with £50 per annum during the period of cadetship is still in force; whether there is any possibility of obtaining relief from this Regulation; can he say whether the non-payment of the £50 by any father would prejudice the position of the cadet in any way; and will he consider the advisability of during the War making the allowance voluntary or of making the position of the cadet approximate more nearly to that of a second-lieutenant in the Army?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)My hon. Friend's question appears to relate to the private allowance of £50 per annum required from parents or guardians in respect of each midshipman. The payment of that allowance is still required, but, as I have stated on several occasions, where necessity exists the Board of Admiralty is prepared to give favourable consideration to applications for whole or partial release. The question of the pay of midshipmen has been the subject of consideration on several recent occasions. It is not, however, proposed to increase it.