HC Deb 17 June 1915 vol 72 cc806-7W
Commander BELLAIRS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, as shown on pages 786 and 787 of the Navy List, the majority of ranks in the Royal Marine Light Infantry are paid at the same rate as the Royal Marine Artillery, whereas in some instances they are paid less; that whereas among the non-commissioned officers six grades of non-commissioned officers and the privates are paid at the same rates in both corps, a sergeant in the Royal Marine Light Infantry is paid 9d. a day less than a sergeant in the Royal Marine Artillery and 1d. a day less than the lower rank of corporal in the Royal Marine Artillery; and whether the Board will consider this alleged grievance?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The difference of pay between the Royal Marine Artillery and the Royal Marine Light Infantry is based on the difference between Artillery and Infantry rates in the Army, because whilst both are trained in naval gunnery, the Royal Marine Artillery are trained in heavier guns and also land service gunnery. The training of officers (entered in recent years) of both branches has been assimilated, and consequently the pay has also been equalised.