HC Deb 25 June 1947 vol 439 cc426-7
35. Commander Maitland

aske the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that sufficient incentive is offered to petty-officers and chief petty-officers by the new pay code to make a career in the Royal Navy; and what proportion of these ratings, eligible to sign on to complete for pension, are taking advantage of the opportunity to do so.

Mr. W. Edwards

The new pay code has not been in operation long enough to enable us to give considered opinion whether or not there is now a sufficient incentive to encourage men to take up a career in the Royal Navy. With regard to the second part of the Question, I regret that I am at present unable to add to the information given in the reply of 30th April to the hon. and gallant Member. I will, however, inform him further as the necessary figures become available.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Can the Civil Lord say to what extent the petty-officer and chief petty-officer, particularly men with families, are better off under the new pay code than they were before?

Mr. Edwards

This matter was very fully discussed in the Navy Estimates last year. We feel that under the new pay code they had a far better career in the Navy than has ever been the case before.

Major Bruce

But is my hon. Friend aware that the new pay code varies to the disadvantage of a young petty-officer compared with comparable grades in the other two Services?

Mr. Edwards

I am afraid I cannot accept that. The new pay code has been devised to achieve equality between the three Services. It may be true that a young petty-officer is not getting as much as an old petty-officer, but eventually he will do so.

Mr. Willis

Is my hon Friend aware that many chief petty-officers today are worse off than 25 years ago?

Mr. Edwards

They may be worse off than 25 years ago, but I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that they are far better off than 10 years ago.

Commander Maitland

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that throughout the Navy there is considerable doubt as to whether the new pay code is going to improve the welfare of the men in the Navy? Unless he can give the House a satisfactory answer, will he appoint a Committee to consider whether another new pay code should be introduced?

Mr. Edwards

; I am afraid I cannot agree that there is considerable doubt about the effects of the new pay code. Apart from the pay codes, we are endeavouring to make conditions of service as easy as possible, and better than they have ever been for the chief petty-officers and petty-officers, and that has to be taken into consideration.