85. Colonel F. HALLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the time of men serving in the Navy transferring to the Army is counted either for proficiency pay, pension, or promotion; and, if not, whether the Government will bring in a measure to do away with this disability?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe time served by men in the Army, who subsequently transfer to the Navy, counts in full for naval pension is discharge from the Army is due to invaliding. In other circumstances, such time within a limit of four years may count towards pension, subject to certain conditions. As regards promotion of ratings in the Navy, this does not depend on the mere passage of time, but on the possession of definite qualifications, although, of course, a minimum of time in the lower rating is in certain cases insisted on. The question of time served in the Army counting for proficiency pay does not arise, as this is not a naval emolument.
Colonel HALLWith regard to this proficiency pay in the Navy, is this to be taken into consideration when the men are transferred from the Navy to the new Air Council, and is the whole of their time going to count; and will the right hon. Gentleman agree to put men transferred from the Army to the Navy under the same conditions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI did not apprehend that the question of the transfer to the new Air Ministry was the point involved. I thought my hon. and gallant Friend asked a question with regard to men transferred from the Army to the Navy. That I have tried to answer. Perhaps he will put down the question in a specific form.