15. Mr. DUNCANasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any representative of the engineering branch of the Navy was appointed a member of the Committee which is dealing with the pay and promotion of the engineering department of the Navy; whether he can state if any Report has been issued; and, if not, can he say when it is likely to be completed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI presume my hon. Friend is referring to the committee set up by the Board, which is considering, amongst other things, the question of artificer engineers and engineer-lieutenants promoted from warrant rank. No engineer officer is serving on that Committee, but as the Committee is dealing with all branches, it would not be possible for each branch to be represented without making it too unwieldy. Representatives under Admiral Hyde-Parker are visiting the ports. They co-opt in each case three warrant officers as consultative members, and they hear witnesses. There is nothing to prevent them taking the view of artificer engineers, chief artificer engineers, and engineer-lieutenants promoted from warrant rank— and I imagine it is this class which my hon. Friend has in mind—in the course of their investigations. No report has yet been issued, and it is not yet possible to say when it is likely to be completed.
16. Mr. DUNCANasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is proposed to increase the subsistence allowances paid 330 to officers and ratings of the Engineering Department of His Majesty's Navy engaged upon overseering duties, so as to meet the increased cost of living, as has been done in other Departments of the State?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAPresumably my hon. Friend's question refers to lodging and provision allowances. The question of increasing these allowances generally is under consideration.