§ 10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty 429 whether his attention has been called to the fact that the War Office has been asking for single men to enrol in Class II of the Army Reserve at a retainer of 1s. per day for four years, with a bonus of £20 at the end of that period; whether the Royal Fleet Reserve are only offering a retainer of 6d. per day, with a bonus of £100 on completion of 20 years' service; and whether it is in contemplation to raise the retainer of the Royal Fleet Reserve to the same as the Army, especially in view of the greater skill and higher degree of technical knowledge required by seamen in the Navy?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThe first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question appears to refer to Section D of the Army Reserve, enrolment in which is for four years, with a retainer of 1s. per day. Candidates, however, are not required to be single men; nor is any bonus paid at the end of the period of service. Conditions of service in the Royal Fleet Reserve, Class B, are as stated by the hon. and gallant Member, except that the 20 years' service includes previous pensionable time in the Fleet. The Admiralty consider that the total emoluments of a Royal Fleet Reservist compare well with those of an Army Reservist, and that the increase of retainer suggested would not be justified.