9. Lieut. - Colonel W. GUINNESSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether under the terms of the Order published about 1912 under which the Supplementary List of the Navy was instituted, officers were promised an additional payment of 2s. per day as compensation for the higher age at which they could expect to attain the various ranks, but that this arrangement has been completely ignored in the recent increases of naval pay; and whether, since the original agreement was in the nature of a contract binding on both sides, the Admiralty will reconsider the matter again and grant the 2s. a day compensation of which these officers have now been deprived?
§ Mr. AMERYLieutenants entered on the Supplementary List under Order in Council of 7th March, 1913, received a messing allowance of 2s a day in addition to the ordinary rates of full pay of a Lieutenant, Royal Navy. In 1919 when the new rates of pay of officers were introduced, this allowance, together with messing allowances generally, was abolished, the new rates being considered sufficient without the allowances. There is no question of any breach of contract, since the new rates are invariably much higher than those in force at the time of entry plus the 2s. a day. The Admiralty see no reason for altering the decision arrived at.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSWill the hon. Gentleman deny that this extra 2s. 983 was given as compensation for the higher age and lower prospects of promotion, compared with those which there officers in the Merchant Service enjoyed? Under these conditions, is it not, in fact, a breach of contract; and were these officers not tempted by this extra 2s. a day to forego their career in the Merchant Service, trusting to compensation in the Navy?
§ Mr. AMERYNo, Sir. I do not think that is quite the case. This extra sum was offered as an inducement because the pay then was not quite adequate to men of their age.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs not promotion less favourable for them, in view of their age than for other officers of the Navy who have gone in much younger?