§ 6 Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (6) whether he is aware that the modifying words, acting stoker first-class, introduced into the recent Admiralty Order allowing seamen and marines with six months' seniority to transfer to stoker first-class, with seniority to count, have increased rather than lessened the dissatisfaction prevailing in the stoker branch of the Royal Navy since the original order was promulgated; that the stoker branch of the service regard the change made in their personnel as unjust to themselves and involving a possible source of danger to navigation; and will he consider the advisability of consulting with the engineers and petty officers, Royal Navy, with the view of meeting the shortage of stoker ratings in a manner more acceptable to the ratings themselves and better calculated to fall in with the general efficiency of the Service?
(7) Whether, in view of the shortage of stoker ratings in the Royal Navy, he will consider, as an alternative to the order to which so much objection has been taken, the possibility of giving the stoker ratings better pay and better conditions with the object of attracting to the stoker branch men from the Mercantile Marine and men who have been employed in stoker work outside, seeing that, if this alternative plan were adopted, a general opinion prevails that there would be no shortage in stoker ratings?
(8) Whether he is aware that, however well qualified seamen and marines may be 2876 to carry out the duties attending their special branches of the naval service, their lack of knowledge as to the technicalities of a stoker's duties, which in the case of stoker, first-class, take four years to acquire, can scarcely fail to affect adversely the effective manipulation of the ship's machinery, while at the same time placing greater responsibility on the engineers, chief petty officers, and petty officers, resulting in the event of an error of judgment on the part of a man under their charge of possible punishment, carrying with it loss of a badge, good conduct medal, and £15 gratuity and 2d. a day in pension; can he say whether these possibilities were taken in consideration by their Lordships before the order was promulgated; and, if not, will he have them considered, with a view of the order being withdrawn?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWith the permission of the hon. Member, I propose to circulate the replies in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The following are the answers circulated:
§ (6) The permission to men to transfer to, Or enter in, the stoker branch as acting stoker, first-class, without passing through the grade of stoker, second-class, has been authorised to meet the immediate need for stokers, but is a purely temporary measure. It is quite recognised that these men are not capable of performing the duties of a stoker, first-class, straight away. This is clearly shown in the orders already given that they will not be confirmed as stokers, first-class, until they have professionally qualified for that rating under the King's Regulations; and that as acting stokers, first-class, they are to be drafted under the conditions previously in force for stokers, second-class, and to be employed in lieu of stokers, second-class, until they are professionally qualified.
§ (7) The question of increased pay for the stoker branch as for other branches of the Royal Navy is before us as a result of the Report of the Jerram Committee.
§ (8) So far as this question is not covered by the answer to No. 6, I am assured that there is no ground for the fears expressed as to the greater risks and responsibility incurred by engineers, chief petty officers, and petty officers, and that therefore the suggestion of the latter part of the question as to consequential heavy punishments arising is quite unfounded.