§ 25. Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will inquire into the living conditions of naval ratings serving at the Royal naval wireless stations at Stonecutter Island, Hong Kong, and Matara, Ceylon, and the cost of living and recreation, with a view to paying them the same Colonial allowance as is now paid to the naval officers at those station's where the cost of living, due to local conditions, necessitates greater expense than is met by service issues in kind or compensatory allowances?
Mr. ALEXANDERFull consideration would be given to any representations that the present issues, in kind or otherwise, to the ratings in question, do not suffice to meet the living conditions at these stations. No such representations have so far been received.
§ Sir B. FALLEWill the right hon. Gentleman say exactly how those representations are to be made by the naval ratings?
Mr. ALEXANDERI think the hon. Baronet has been so long a Member for a dockyard constituency that he is aware how well informed the men are on that subject.
§ Sir B. FALLENo, exactly the opposite.