§ 38. Mr. Willisasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what limitations are imposed upon the number of allotments from pay that can be made by naval ratings.
§ The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing)At present, there are no limitations on the number except that only one may be made to a trader by a rating below leading rate and under 20 years of age. We are, however, introducing by stages over the next 12 months a limit for all ratings; monthly allotments will be limited to three, and one weekly allotment will be allowed for the maintenance of a wife or dependant. If three monthly allotments are made, at least one must be either to a savings bank or for National Savings, a recognised benevolent fund, an insurance company, a building society, or to fulfil a court order. This action is being taken to save administrative effort both ashore and afloat.
§ Mr. WillisSince it appears that the numbers will be limited to four, could the hon. Gentleman say how many men will be aected by this? Will he not look at this again in order to give sufficient flexibility to permit desirable types of allotment being made?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingAt present, 181,000 allotments are made by 83,000 officers and ratings. Only 1,882 of these are making more than four allotments, and all this totals under 10,000 allotments. I will bear in mind the point raised by the hon. Member in the second part of his question.