§ 32. Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is in a position to state approximately when the final decision of the Admiralty upon the pay and other matters of the officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines will be made known; whether all the evidence taken before the Jerram Committee will be published for the information of the House, and in what form; and also whether such final decision of the Admiralty will be declared before the Navy Votes are taken?
§ Mr. LONGThe Jerram Committee is proceeding with its Inquiry with all expedition. During the three weeks ending 8th February, it interviewed 240 witnesses at the three principal naval ports. It is now at work preparing the summary of the evidence taken, together with all relevant facts. The advisory representatives will shortly be summoned to-London; thereafter the Committee will consider its Report to the Board of Admiralty. In order to accelerate the Inquiry it has been decided to appoint a separate Committee to deal with the question of officers' pay simultaneously. This Committee will keep in close touch with the Committee dealing with the pay of the men, and its recommendations will pass through Admiral Jerram.
The Board has not yet considered the suggestion contained in the second part of my hon. Friend's question. As regards the last part of the question, I do not think it at all possible that the final decision can be taken before the introduction of the 1919–1920 Estimates, a Vote on Account of which must certainly be taken 1723 in the House very shortly indeed. But I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall proceed in this matter of pay with all possible expedition.
§ Sir T. BRAMSDONWill the right hon. Gentleman give an opportunity to the House to discuss this question this year on some Naval Vote?
§ Mr. LONGI imagine that there will be an opportunity when the Navy Estimates come on later in the year, and the question can be raised on the Vote on Account.