HC Deb 26 November 1919 vol 121 cc1768-70
25 and 26. Sir T. BRAMSDON

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) why has it been found necessary to advertise for naval schoolmasters in view of the fact that all naval ranks are being reduced in number owing to demobilisation following the War; is he aware that dissatisfaction exists in that branch consequent upon the recommendations of the Jerram-Halsey Committee not having been accepted by their Lordships;

(2) if he will explain why, although all classes of warrant officers received increases of pay in 1918, as a result of the findings of the Hyde-Parker Committee, naval schoolmasters were the only branch not to receive further increases in July, 1919?

Dr. MACNAMARA

As my hon. Friend is probably aware, before the War, naval schoolmasters were employed only in Harbour Establishments (with the exception of eight in the Training Squadron). During the War, however, it was decided to employ Warrant schoolmasters afloat, and temporary officers were appointed for this purpose. Owing to the success which attended this new departure in the interests of lower deck education, it has been decided to continue it, and an increase in the pre-war complement of the schoolmaster branch is necessary in consequence. As all the temporary schoolmasters were demobilised on the cessation of hostilities, it is necessary to enter fresh schoolmasters on a permanent basis for service afloat. If is true that letters have been received from schoolmasters expressing their dissatisfaction at rot having been treated similarly to other warrant officers in respect to pay. I am afraid I can only say that it was considered that the rates compared favourably with the salaries of teachers in civil life, and for this reason it was decided to make no change.

Sir T. BRAMSDON

Is it a fact that there were at least 200 temporary school-masters engaged during the War, that they were invited to rejoin under the new circumstances, and that practically only eight or ten have done SO owing to the poor conditions of service?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I do not know. I cannot say I have heard that.

Sir T. BRAMSDON

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I will inquire.

Commander Viscount CURZON

Is there any analogy in the conditions of service of naval schoolmasters ashore and afloat?

Dr. MACNAMARA

No. The conditions of service afloat are entirely different from those ashore. The question I had in mind was as to the pædogogie attainments and the capacity of these teachers.

Viscount CURZON

Do you draw no distinction whatever between service ashore and service at sea?

Dr. MACNAMARA

If I am asked I would Say that life on shore has many more amenities and much more comfort than life at sea, obviously.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Dockyard Members' Committee received a deputation the other day, and that they strongly recommended the case of these schoolmasters for consideration by the Admiralty? We sent a letter. Has the right hon. Gentleman received it?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I expect it was sent to the Permanent Secretary. I have not seen it.

27. Sir T. BRAMSDON

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will explain why promotions to the approved percentages of head masters and senior masters have not been made, and why not a single appointment has been made to the special list, seeing that there is in the schoolmaster branch more than a sufficient number qualified, professionally and in the spirit of the Regulations, to fill the vacancies?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The total number of officers of the schoolmaster branch (excluding probationers) is ninety. The number of head masters allowed is six, and there are six officers holding this rank. The number of senior masters allowed is twenty-three, and the number of officers holding this rank is fifteen. To qualify for promotion to senior master or for appointment on the special list a schoolmaster must have served for eight years and must have reached a satisfactory standard after taking an advanced course. A certain number of promotions to senior master have been made from among those who had completed eight years' service, although they had not taken the advanced course, and I am advised that it is not considered desirable to fill up the whole of the vacancies in this way, especially as there are several schoolmasters of outstanding merit who have completed about seven years' service whose promotion would thereby be blocked. I may, perhaps, add that both on account of lack of accommodation in the training establishments and because sufficient schoolmasters have not yet been obtained, it has not been practicable to hold advanced courses. They will be instituted as soon as circumstances admit.