§ 16. Viscount CURZONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any statement can now be made with reference to any increase of pay for Naval school masters; if he is aware that, owing to the withdrawal of the children allowance, many of the schoolmasters are in a very serious financial position; whether the Admiralty has taken dockyard apprentices 1662 as schoolmaster probationers; whether Naval schoolmasters have been appointed to train them; and, if so, whether any special grant will be made to the schoolmasters entrusted with such instruction?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)As regards the first part of the question, I explained, in a reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth Central on Wednesday last, that representations regarding the rate of emoluments for schoolmasters have been made by the Admiralty to the Government. It is true that the Schoolmaster Branch, with all other branches, are affected by the withdrawal of children's allowances, and that the schoolmasters did not receive increases of pay granted to other officers on 1st May, 1919. The third part of the question is dealt with in another reply which I gave on Wednesday, of which I am sending my Noble Friend a copy. As regards the remainder of the question, the schoolmasters required to train schoolmaster probationers do this as part of the educational work of the establishment in which they are employed.
§ Viscount CURZONCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out no hope of the schoolmasters getting an increase of pay as has been given to other ranks in the Navy? Why have these men been kept out?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe have made repersentations in the sense suggested by the Noble Lord.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it a fact that by a recent decision the Naval schoolmasters have been given a better status, but no increase in pay?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy hon. Friend should put that down. With regard to pay, we have made representations.