§ 18. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what allowance is payable to officers and men of sea-going ships who wish to live ashore with their families during refit periods in dockyard.
§ Mr. AlexanderAs this answer is long,-I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICAL Report.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Married naval ratings and Royal Marine other ranks serving in shore establishments in the United Kingdom for whom proper accommodation is available, and whose families live within reasonable distance, are given the option of:
- (a)receiving provision allowance (which is at present at the rate of 3s. 50. a day) and making their own arrangements for all meals, or
- (b) being victualled in the establishment and receiving one 72 hours' ration card every 14 days.
§ The foregoing arrangements are not automatically applicable abroad, but may be put into operation either partially or wholly at the discretion of commanders-in-chief, who are being authorised to exercise a similar discretion in the case of men of sea-going ships, whether at home or abroad.
§ In the case of married officers, where the period of refit is estimated at the outset not to exceed three months, marriage allowance at schedule A rates and lodging allowance are paid. Where the refit is expected to last more than three months, lodging allowance is not payable, but the officer receives marriage allowance at schedule B rates, which are in general is. a day higher than schedule A rates. In either case, provision allowance is payable in lieu of Service victualling.