§ 1. Mr. Callaghanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will introduce a world-wide form of engagement for Maltese ratings in addition to the existing local engagement.
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. George Ward)My noble Friend has under consideration a scheme whereby Maltese young men may be entered in Malta, as Maltese boys are now, for a long-service engagement. This would involve the same obligations and advantages as an engagement entered into in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that he will have my support—and that is worth a lot—in any such move? Further, may I ask him whether this means that the Maltese ratings will get the same rates of pay if they enter on the same engagement?