§ 60. Mr. PETOasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping whether the difficulty with regard to the acceptance of the decision of the National Maritime Board on the question of pay of officers in the case of railway owned transports by the Railway Executive Committee has been overcome; and whether these officers will now receive the rates of pay settled by the National Maritime Board?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Sir Leo Chiozza Money)My horn Friend is no doubt aware of the reply given yesterday to a similar question by the President of the Board of Trade to the effect that instructions have now been issued for a beginning rate of pay and increments to be given to the officers in question, equal, on the average and on the whole, to those laid down by the National Maritime Board for merchant ships.
The rates so paid will be retrospective to the 6th October, 1917, as in the case of other determinations of the Board. I understand that the details in connection with the increments have still to be worked out, but it is anticipated that these details can be readily adjusted.
§ Mr. STEWARTWhat does the hon. Member mean by "on the average and on the whole"—is it not the same thing?
§ Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEYThat expression arises out of the fact that the Railway Executive Committee desire to make an adjustment to adjust the tonnage and the seniority of their officers, and they desire to make plain the rates of pay.