Schoolmasters (Commissions) (Hansard, 3 April 1946)

§ 12. Mr. James Callaghan
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is causing the delay in the granting of commissions to R.N. schoolmasters, in view of the fact that he announced his intention to grant these commissions over three months ago.

The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. John Duģdale)
As stated in the White Paper, the pay and conditions of service of the educational, chaplains, doctors and dentists branches of the three Services have not yet been dealt with. Every effort is being made to accelerate progress with these problems, but until they are decided it is not possible to state exactly how the undertaking that commissioned rank shall be accorded to naval schoolmasters will be implemented as regards rank and pay.

§ Mr. Callaghan
Does not my hon. Friend remember that it is two years and one month since the First Lord promised to raise the terribly low status of the naval schoolmasters, and in view of the definite promise that was given last November, ought he not now to be able to give us some more satisfactory answer to that?

Mr. Duģdale
The question is not one of principle. The principle has been decided. The question is entirely one of working out their conditions of service and pay, and this will be done at the latest by 1st July, when the other Services are so dealt with.

§ Mr. Callaghan
July 1st is a satisfactory date, but is not the position this, that the Navy schoolmasters are now being held on and cannot get out into training colleges, although many of them want to in order to go into civilian education?

Mr. Duģdale
The Staff in the Admiralty have been very heavily—

§ Captain Bullock
On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Can we be taken into this secret?

Mr. Duģdale
The staff in the Admiralty have been very heavily pressed in working out the various pay codes, and they have riot had time to deal with all of them. This one will be dealt with, in time for an announcement to be made, at least before 1st July.

§ Commander Noble
Would the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that there does appear to be sonic uncertainty as to the future of these men, and that it is causing very great worry to those concerned?

Mr. Duģdale
No, Sir, there is no uncertainty. They will he granted commissioned rank. The terms of that commissioned rank have not been decided, but they will be granted commissioned rank, as I stated.