§ 104. Mr. BILLINGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any complaints from officers or men in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve with reference to their not receiving sufficient food, although 10s. is deducted weekly from their pay for this purpose; whether he is aware that out of the balance of 30s. they have to provide their uniforms and support their wives and families; whether, in view of the fact that they are not paid any separation allowance, it is proposed that such separation allowance should now be paid; and whether these men have to keep their uniforms in a fit state of repair out of the said 30s.?
§ Dr. MACNAMARASo far as the men of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve are concerned, my hon. Friend is evidently under a misapprehension. They are paid at the same rates as men of a similar rating in the Royal Navy, and are treated as such in all respects— that is to say, they get a free kit on entry, free rations, and the dependants are paid separation allowance contingent upon minimum allotment. So far as I know, no complaints have been received as to insufficiency of food, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case he desires to submit to me, I will have the matter inquired 1586 into. Still, dealing with the men, as regards uniform, a few requests have been received that some allowance should be made for the upkeep of kit. This has not, however, been approved, and in this respect the men are on the same footing as the men of the Royal Navy. As regards the officers, the statement that the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officers get a flat rate of 40s. a week, minus 10s. for food, is incorrect. Their pay is that of equivalent ranks in the Royal Navy, and their messing arrangements also similar. As regards the provision of uniform, they get allowances according to rank varying from £10 to £20, with additional payments to meet outlay on white uniform and khaki. Like all other commissioned officers in both Services, they do not get separation allowance.