§ 63. Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the engine-room personnel, which form about 35 per cent. of the total personnel of the Navy, have any representatives on the Jerram Committee dealing with the pay of the lower deck, or on the Halsey Committee dealing with the pay of officers; if so, can the ranks of these representatives be given, and, if the engine-room personnel is not directly represented on these committees, can any information be given as to the methods by which considerate treatment for them can be assured?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo engineer officer was included in either of these Committees. It was realised when the Committees were set up that the inclusion of officers directly representing the different branches was impracticable.
580 In the case of the Jerram Committee, however, the men's advisory representatives associated with the Committee included a representative of the engine room, artificers and a representative of the mechanicians; in addition to which the views of the engine room personnel, in common with those of all other classes, were represented very fully by witnesses interviewed at the ports.
In the case of the Halsey Committee, representative officers of all branches have given evidence before the Committee, and, in addition, a general invitation was issued to officers in home waters wishing to express individual views to forward them to the Committee for consideration, and many such communications have been received.
§ Sir B. FALLECan the right hon. Gentleman give me any information as to the Jerram Committee?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe have already said we have every expectation that the decision will be taken this week. That was said last week.