HC Deb 14 August 1919 vol 119 cc1633-4
80. Brigadier-General CROFT

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to the fact that owing to the abolition of torpedo-control allowance, gunnery-control allowance, and hard-lying money, officers on destroyers and other small craft was actually worse off than before the recent advances in pay were granted; and, if so, what steps he intended to take to remedy this injustice?

Dr. MACNAMARA

In a few cases, no doubt, the total emoluments received by an officer under the new rates of pay and allowances may be less than the total he received under the old rates of pay. My hon. and gallant Friend should, I suggest, consider the pay and allowances of an officer during his whole career, and, if this is done, the advantages of the new scale are obvious. Further, my hon. and gal- lant Friend has apparently overlooked Decision No. 40 of the Halsey-Jerram Recommendations, which provides, shortly, that any officer whose old rate of pay plus allowances is greater than the new rate, can, so long as he continues to hold the appointment which carried with it an allowance, continue to receive the same until his new rate equals or exceeds his old rate of pay and allowances. This seems to obviate any injustice.

Brigadier-General CROFT

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that it is satisfactory that these officers on destroyers and other small craft are really to be paid no higher salary than they were receiving previously, when the opinion of the House was that it was inadequate?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will do me the favour of reading the decision I have referred to, and another decision under which the Admiralty retain discretionary power to pay these allowances for special stations.

Brigadier-General CROFT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that that is apparently not known, and that numerous officers on numerous destroyers are finding that they are actually worse off to-day?

Dr. MACNAMARA

If they still have the duty resting on thorn they can continue with their old rate of pay and allowances until those two reach the new rate of pay.