HC Deb 17 November 1920 vol 134 cc1868-9
30. Rear-Admiral ADAIR

asked the-First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the case that a chief engine-room artificer serving in a submarine, and who has a wife and two children, can reach a maximum rate of pay of 25s. 2d. a day, while an artificer engineer, a warrant officer, of nine years' seniority, and who might also have a wife and two children, can only reach a maximum of 23s.; whether similar anomalies exist as between, gunners or boatswains, warrant officers, and chief petty officers of the seaman class; and whether this can be rectified by granting a marriage allowance to officers as well as to ratings?

Sir J. CRAIG

I am aware of the anomalies to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. A scheme of special pay for warrant officers, which will have the effect of preventing loss on promotion in all but exceptional cases, has recently been proposed, and is about to be promulgated to the Fleet. The question of granting a marriage allowance to officers as well as ratings is at present under consideration.

32. Sir C. KINLOCH - COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the very difficult position financially of lieutenants promoted from mate in the Royal Navy; whether he is aware that there are cases where lieutenants are married and have reached the age of 36 or 37 and are receiving the same pay as young men of 21 and 22 who came into the Navy by cadet entry; whether he is aware that these officers have no marriage allowance; that it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to maintain their wives and children in a position befitting the rank of the husband and father; that it is practically impossible to put money aside to pay their children's education; and will he consider the advisability of reconsidering the position of this class of officer with a view to placing their pay more on an equality with that of lieutenants entering the Navy as cadets.

Sir J. CRAIG

The facts mentioned by my hon. Friend have already been brought to the notice of the Admiralty and are engaging the attention of the Board. I regret that I cannot make any further statement at present.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the class of officers to which I refer is a very small one, and will he, therefore, expedite the consideration of this question as far as possible so that this very small class can receive some assistance?

Sir J. CRAIG

Yes, certainly. Every expedition has been exercised, and I am taking the matter up myself personally.