66. Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked what allowance in lieu of provisions was paid to ratings of the Royal Navy employed on shore previous to the commencement of this War and what allowance is now being paid; and will he say whether naval ratings employed on shore can purchase their provisions at Government rates or are they obliged to purchase in the open market?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first part of the question is 1s. 5d. a day before the War, and from its commencement to 18th July, 1916; and Is. 7d. a day since that date. With regard to the second part of the question, naval ratings on shore m receipt of this allowance are not entitled to obtain provisions from Navy stocks at all. In a few special cases where local conditions do not admit of men on shore obtaining food from other sources, they are allowed to purchase Government provisions at cost price, plus the usual percentage addition to cover cost of handling, etc., receiving a victualling allowance of 1s. 5d. a day, which is the rate of allowance for victualling for crews of trawlers and other small craft who are allowed to draw Government provisions on repayment at the same prices.
Mr. BENNMay I ask from what fund the naval ratings can obtain the difference between the present morease in the price of provisions of 98 per cent, and 10 per cent, of excess allowance?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere is no fund which I am aware of for that purpose. I do not say that that covers the proportion of the increased cost of living, but I may say that that is a question which we are now considering.