Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that warrant officers, second class, Royal Marines, are not permitted to join either the Reserve of Officers or the Royal Fleet Reserve; whether he is aware that a Royal Marine on being discharged to pension and joining the Royal Fleet Reserve is entitled to an increase, on reaching the age of 50, of 5d. per diem, but that if he does not join the Royal Fleet Reserve he does not receive this increase until he is 55 years of age; whether he is aware that a warrant officer, second class, is not allowed to join the Royal Fleet Reserve, and is therefore unable to get the increase of pension of 5d. per day until he reaches the age of 55; and if he will see his way to bring about a change in the regulation which has the effect of penalising them financially?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answers to my hon. and gallant Friend's questions are in the affirmative. I am advised that it is not proposed to change the existing Regulations. As my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, it is not intended to promote any more Warrant Officers, Class IL, the rank being allowed to die out as vacancies occur.