HL Deb 03 February 1943 vol 125 cc918-9
LORD CHATFIELD

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name:

[The question was as follows:

To ask his Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that no hardship is caused to junior officers of the Royal Navy and the W.R.N.S., serving in the London area, by the high cost of living at the present time and whether they consider that the lodging allowance of £60 to £80 per annum and the provision allowance of 3s. to 3s. 9d. per diem granted to such officers is ade- quate; what is the difference, in principle, between the above allowances and the headquarters allowance granted to officers serving in the Admiralty.]

LORD TEMPLEMORE

My Lords, my noble friend Lord Bruntisfield is unfortunately absent owing to illness, and I have been asked to reply to this question in his stead. The Admiralty are aware of the difficulties, by no means confined to the officers referred to in this statement, with which high cost of living and high taxation are confronting a great part of the community. Junior officers of the Navy and W.R.N.S. have received some alleviation recently in the form, of increased pay. The Admiralty view is that London cannot be isolated as a place with a relatively higher cost of living. Costs in many provincial centres are not less than those in London, particularly in some centres which have suffered extensive air-raid damage, or have had an influx of evacuees, or have become centres of war-time activity. The headquarters allowance granted to officers serving in the Admiralty is a responsibility allowance and is not designed to take account of cost of living.

LORD CHATFIELD

My Lords, arising out of that very disappointing answer—for which, however, I thank the noble Lord—may I ask him if he is aware that whereas a junior officer, and often a by no means young officer, is unable to obtain accommodation either in London or the suburbs excepting at rates of from £3 5s. to £4 10s. a week, the allowances given to some are only £2 4s. to £2 10s. a week?

LORD TEMPLEMORE

My Lords, I have no doubt that the statement made by my noble friend is accurate, but I cannot give him any further answer at this moment. I promise that I will bring his remarks to the attention of my right honourable friend.