§ 10. Sir JOHN SPEARasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will arrange that accountant officers on sea-going ships carrying 650 complement and over shall have 3s. 6d. per diem charge pay as is at present the case with accountant officers in ships with complements of 900 and over?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy hon. Friend apparently bases his question upon a supposed analogy between the medical and accountant officers. The former receive charge pay of 3s. 6d. a day when in charge of the medical duties of a ship of war at sea with a complement of not less than 650. The latter receive charge pay at the same rate when in the position of senior accountant officer of a sea-going ship in which the average number borne per quarter exceeds 900. I do not agree that there is, or can be, any real analogy between the two classes of officers in regard to their duties or responsibilities which would necessitate or justify their being treated on exactly similar lines. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to carry out my hon. Friend's suggestion.