§ 18. Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the date of the last welfare conference when naval ratings were able to put forward requests for improved conditions; and, as the first review of service conditions under the new scheme is now more than six months overdue and unlikely to be held for a long time, whether the Admiralty will arrange for welfare conferences to be held to deal with lower-deck requests on the same lines as the conferences held from 1919?
Lord STANLEYThe last welfare conference was held in 1932. Orders were given on 4th July, 1935, for the first review of service conditions to be held lit September or October of that year. Owing to the altered disposition of the Fleet, it has not yet been possible, except in the Royal Australian Navy, for the review to be carried out, but this will be done so soon as naval dispositions permit.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERMay we be assured that these conferences will be on the old lines?
Lord STANLEYThere is a considerable difference between the old welfare conferences and the proposed new service conditions. I will send the right, hon. Gentleman a copy of the proposals.