HL Deb 17 November 1954 vol 189 cc1572-3

2.38 p.m.

THE LORD BISHOP OF SHEFFIELD

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will give special consideration to the personal difficulties experienced by all ranks in any important unit of the Royal Navy whose duty calls upon them to make a prolonged stay in the ports of a country whose currency is "hard."]

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I think that the right reverend Prelate refers to the financial difficulties which ships' companies may experience when visiting ports in hard currency areas through not being able to change the whole of their pay into the local currency. Their future position should be easier, since a scheme has recently been introduced giving daily allowances to members of the Royal Navy serving in Her Majesty's ships abroad to compensate for the higher cost of living generally experienced overseas. These allowances will be fully convertible into the local currency, even if the ship is visiting a port in a hard currency area.

THE LORD BISHOP OF SHEFFIELD

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for the Answer which he has just given me.

May I ask him whether that extra allowance, his reference to which I am very glad to hear, bears any sort of relation to the difference in cost between things in hard currency areas and in our country?

LORD CARRINGTON

I can give the right reverend Prelate some figures. The local overseas allowance payable to ships' companies of Her Majesty's ships on the America and West Indies Stations, ranges from 14s. 8d. a day for married flag officers down to 6s. 6d. for married ratings.

EARL JOWITT

When Her Majesty's ships are in ports, even in soft currency areas and they entertain, as they so splendidly do, the local inhabitants, does not that frequently involve a serious charge upon all the officers? Ought not steps to be taken to see that the cost of entertainments given on behalf of this country—as they really are—are not borne by Her Majesty's officers?

LORD CARRINGTON

I will certainly bring that matter to the attention of my right honourable friend, but I think it is a rather different point from the one raised by the right reverend Prelate.