§ 15. Captain W. G. HALLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reasons why the revised pay regulations were applied to lieutenants (ex-mate) as from 1925 and not to lieutenants (ex-cadet) until 1929?
Mr. ALEXANDERMy hon. and gallant Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. I stated on the 14th May, 1930 (OFFICIAL REPORT, columns 1867–8) that new rates of pay introduced in 1925 applied only to officers who entered the Service or were selected as mates after the 5th October, 1925, including all naval cadets then at Dartmouth. They were not applied to any officers then serving. It was considered unfair to reduce the rates of pay of officers already on the list of the Royal Navy or Royal Marines and only officers subsequently appointed on leaving Dartmouth or from civil life or by promotion from naval ratings or Royal Marine ranks came under the revised regulations.
§ Captain HALLThen why is it that there are still 15 lieutenants, ex-mates, who receive £33 per annum less than their contemporaries, ex-cadets?
Mr. ALEXANDERI do not think that applies to their contemporaries on leaving Dartmouth, but, if there are any cases in which there is doubt, I shall be glad to go into the matter, if my hon. Friend will communicate with me.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWhy reduce the pay at all?
Mr. ALEXANDERI think the reduction was made in October, 1925. I do not know whether the hon. Member made representations on the matter at that time to the then First Lord of the Admiralty.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI did.