HC Deb 16 December 1942 vol 385 cc1907-8
33. Sir Robert Young

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that dockyard apprentices have had increased rates of pay since January, 1941, while the artificer apprentices, who are taken from the same examination list on entry, have had no increase of pay for the last 20 years; and whether he will take steps to remove this unfair differentiation and hardship owing to increased costs to the artificer apprentices and their parents by establishing a graduated increase according to time served on somewhat similar lines to that given to dockyard apprentices?

Mr. Alexander

I am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the Question. Naval artificer apprentices are naval ratings, and their pay is and must be related to that of the Navy and not to the rates paid in civilian establishments. The possibility of extending to them an appropriate proportion of the new increase now granted to naval ratings is under consideration.

Sir R. Young

How long will this consideration take?

Mr. Alexander

I will do my best to expedite it.

35. Sir R. Young

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the scheme for training cadets for engineer officers any arrangements are made to train artificer apprentices for these positions, seeing that many of them are recruited from much the same source and have been educated in the same class of school; and, if not, will he explain the reason why artificer apprentices are by-passed for this training?

Mr. Alexander

The Engineer Cadet Scheme recently announced by the Ministry of Labour is designed to train men who could be granted temporary engineer commissions in the Services. The Admiralty have arranged to release under this scheme boys who can be spared and who have not yet completed their initial course of training, but they regret that the requirements of the Navy do not allow of the release of boys who have already started specialised training. It should also be noted that the artificer apprentices have entered the Navy as a career. It would not therefore be suitable to transfer them to a purely temporary scheme. These artificer apprentices will during their careers have opportunities of obtaining permanent commissions as engineer officers, either direct or through warrant rank.

Sir R. Young

Is it not possible to enlighten the artificer apprentices of the fact, because some of them complain that they are being subjected to inferior conditions?

Mr. Alexander

Of course, there are many channels of information through their immediate associates in the Service, but if there is any doubt about it, I will see whether it is necessary to issue a special paper.