HC Deb 18 December 1916 vol 88 cc1108-10
23. Mr. SCANLAN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether men on joining the Navy as seamen or stokers are charged 28s. 6d. for their uniform overcoats; whether they are allowed to wear any other overcoats than the uniform overcoats made for the use of the Navy and charged for at the above rate; whether he recognises that this charge is a burden on men with dependants; and whether the Government can now see their way to supply overcoats free of cost to seamen and stokers and also refund to men who have already paid for their overcoats the sums paid by them?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

Overcoats form part of the "optional" kit of naval ratings. They are not included in the free kit issued to new entries. The issuing price to any man who wishes to take one up is not 28s. 6d., but 28s. 2d., a figure I may say below the actual cost price to the Admiralty. To add an overcoat to the compulsory kit and include it in the free kit on entry would entail very heavy initial expense upon the Crown; and, moreover, would throw upon all ratings the burden of the cost of subsequent upkeep of this article of kit whether they wanted to wear an overcoat or not. Many men do not take one up. My hon. Friend will be interested to know that Service oilskins, watchcoats, duffle suits, warm-lined rubber suits are provided for issue "on loan" to men upon exposed duties.

Mr. SCANLAN

Is it not as necessary in winter for an ordinary seaman to have an overcoat as it is for him to have any other part of his uniform; and in view of the hardship entailed on these men, will the Admiralty reconsider the regulations under which a charge is made for overcoats?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I really do not think there is any hardship. Whenever a man is on exposed duty he has the right to the loan of an overcoat. For the rest, many men do not wish for an overcoat, because if it were issued to them on entry they would have to replace it from their own pockets.

Mr. SCANLAN

Why should they?

Dr. MACNAMARA

That is the rule.

Mr. SCANLAN

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that that is a distinction which works unfairly with seamen as compared with soldiers, and that the Admiralty make a seaman pay for his overcoat which is as necessary to him as it is to a soldier? I want to know whether the right hon. Gentleman will bring this matter under the notice of the Board of Admiralty?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Certainly, I will, with pleasure, but I must point out that it is not right to take one item and compare sailors with soldiers and say that the sailor is treated worse than the soldier. That is not a complete comparison. You must take the whole field of pay and promotion before you can say that one person is worse treated. To say that the sailor is worse treated is not true.

Mr. SCANLAN

Of course, the sailor is worse treated.