§ 18. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to announce any decision with regard to a pension or superannuation fund for captains and officers oft the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service, especially in view of the low 923 pay in this service compared to that in well-managed private shipping lines under the British flag; and if he is aware that, in addition to the pension and superannuation schemes in force in nearly all other Government Departments, many of the good private shipping companies on the British register have pension funds for their captains and officers?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI regret that I am not yet in a position to announce any decision with regard to a pension or superannuation fund for captains and officers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service. The matter is one of considerable difficulty, involving considerations of some complexity, but it is anticipated that a satisfactory solution will soon be reached. The rates of pay in this Service are in accordance with the agreements arrived at on the National Maritime Board. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it very unfortunate that the Admiralty should lag behind private employers? Should not they rather set an example to private employers? What is the difficulty in coming to a decision?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have said I hope a satisfactory decision will soon be reached. So I do.
§ Sir BASIL PETOIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he answered a question in practically the same terms a year ago, and that three years have elapsed since he received a deputation of all the officers' organisations, including the engineers, and promised a sympathetic consideration to their representations?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI regret that there has been this delay, and I hope a satisfactory arrangement will be come to.