§ 24. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Secretary to the Admiralty the nature, scope, limitations, and composition of personnel of the Welfare Committee about to be set up by the Admiralty for dealing with questions affecting all naval ratings; is it the intention to invest this Committee with full advisory powers on all matters affecting lower-deck affairs; and is it to be understood that any points advanced by any one section of the various ratings are to be discussed and adjudicated upon by all the lower-deck representatives sitting together as One body?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe information asked for by my hon. Friend is contained in a printed Admiralty Order, dated 24th February, 1919, of which I am sending him a copy. It is intended that the first meeting of the Committee shall take place in October, 1919, and detailed instructions concerning it are now in course of preparation.
Lieut.-Colonel MALONEWho is then to be in charge of this Department, and to what Department will the Welfare Committee make their representations?
§ Dr. MACNAMARATo the Personnel Committee at the centre. The elections, as I have said, will be made in the freest possible manner.
Lieut.-Colonel MALONEAre we to assume the Committee will elect their own chairman or whether a naval officer will be appointed by the Board of Admiralty?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot answer that question offhand. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put a question on the Paper.