HC Deb 27 January 1943 vol 386 cc489-90
37. Commander Galbraith

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many officers of the Fleet Air Arm have recently had their pay reduced and the amount of the reduction?

— Position before 1st October, 1942. Changes made on 1st October, 1942. Changes made on 1st December, 1942.
Basic Pay. Flying. Pay Total Basic Pay. Flying. Pay. Total Basic Pay. Flying. Pay. Total.
s. d s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.
Midshipmen 5 0 + 4 6 = 9 6 5 0 + 4 6 = 9 6 6 10 + 4 0 = 10 10
Acting Sub-Lieutenants 7 8 + 6 8 = 13 8 9 0 + 6 0 = 15 0 11 0 + 4 0 = 15 0
Sub-Lieutenants 9 0 + 6 0 = 15 0 11 0 + 6 0 = 17 0 13 0 + 6 0 = 19 0
Lieutenants 13 6 + 6 6 = 19 6 13 6 + 6 0 = 19 6 16 6 + 6 0 = 22 6
Mr. George Hall

The hon. and gallant Member no doubt has in mind the statement made by the Lord President of the Council on 26th November, when announcing improvements in the pay of junior naval officers. My right hon. Friend said that in order to preserve parity of treatment between flying personnel in the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Air Force it would be necessary to reduce the flying pay of acting sub-lieutenants from 6s. to 4s. a day and of midshipmen from 4s. 6d. to 4s. a day. These reductions were compensated for, or more than compensated for, by increases in basic pay. A full statement showing the effect of the recent changes will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir A. Southby

Is that how you got the money to pay this increase to the boys?

Mr. Hall

No, Sir, because the increases granted to the persons to whom I have referred will cost very much more than was the case before the increases were worked out.

Commander Galbraith

In view of the very hazardous nature of the work of the Fleet Air Arm, does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that it would have been far more generous to have left the pay of these officers as it was?

Mr. Hall

I would ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to see the statement which has been issued. He Will see that increases have been given.

Commander Galbraith

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that the pay of these officers has actually been increased?

Following is the statement: